Mia from Brooklyn, NY

PARTY. This is a big party school. Work hard, party harder. BE SAFE. There are Cornell sponsor events almost every day, these often include free food.

Food and Dining

Great food and dining. Many different options for any type of eaters. Multiple chefs in every dining room.

Dorm Life

Most dorms are shitty, you might be lucky and get a single. Unlucky if in a double or triple. Make the best of it and remember to make at least one friend. You probably won't stay friends with your freshman year roommate. Be courteous to your roommates and make sure to establish ground rules from the start.

Academic Rigor

Engineers have it really difficult, many suffer from insomnia. All nighters are the norm. Architecture students sleep in the studio. They are working non-stop. Computer Programmers, this is not a drill, you will hate yourself. ILR and AEM, you are chilling. Any other major, prepare for 5-8 hours of pure studying in order to keep up with classes every day.

Tips for prospective students

1.) Know that difficulty in academics and even social life is common and there is help available. 2.) Prepare to be culture shocked by the amount of diversity that co-exist here. 3.) Academic difficulty depends on your college/ major. ILR and AEM are seen as easy majors. 4.) If you are planning to be pre-med, don't apply for arts and science because they have a large number of requirements. I recommend CALS for any prospective pre-med students. 5.) Try to live as close to central campus as possible. It gets difficult to walk in colder weather. 6.) Do not take more than 18 credits unless you absolutely need to, this is not high school and you WILL regret it. 18 credits is seen as a lot and 15 credits is the average.

In three sentences

Least difficult Ivy League to get into, hardest one to get out of. Diverse, liberal, yet not without its fair events of racism. Greek life is a huge part of Cornell, and it is deeply divided between Black, Asian, Latino, and White frats/sororities. Academics are meant to weed out students especially if you are pre-med.

Madeline from Charlotte, NC

02/20/2017

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

5 out of 5 people found this review useful.
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Food and Dining

The food was good. I ate at one small cafe and one large dining hall. Both had healthy choices and junk food and they tasted fine. I can see where it might get repetitive after a while and I'll want to venture to a real restaurant on occasion. Coming from the south I am seriously going to miss Chick-fil-A because Ithaca doesn't have any.

Dorm Life

The dorms I saw were all average and some were pretty dated and small, but having not lived there yet, I can't really offer more than that.

Academic Rigor

Everything I have heard suggests it will be tough and time management will be a necessary skill. But in the end it will be worth it.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely visit. For me it was a long way coming from NC, but you can only get so much from online and reading sites like these. I was pretty sure I wanted to go to Cornell before visiting, but it wasn't my first choice. After visiting it moved right to the top - and it wasn't even close. Also, while visiting, don't just do the info session and tour. Line up an appointment with a professor or dean in your major. Come prepared with questions so you're not wasting their time. I did this and it really helped me when I was crafting my supplemental essay on my application. I was able to name names and locations. The admissions committee can tell when you've been on campus and really investigated versus just skimming a few websites and writing a generic response. It's worth the time and effort - so go to Ithaca as soon as possible.

In three sentences

Diversity is on grand display and you will meet people from all over the world. While eavesdropping I could hear conversations ranging from the team's hockey score and where to eat, to dark matter and theoretical physics. People are super smart but know how to relax and have fun. Everyone from all walks of life seem to fit in seamlessly.

There are so many scientists from Cornell University winning the Nobel price.How dare you doubt its academic rigor?

Tips for prospective students

If you want to be a student in Cornell University,you must have a excellent GPA and a high score of GRE. If you are a foreign studentï¼? you should be good at English.What's more,the passion of study and good qualities are also helpful.

In three sentences

The major of animal science is the best in the world. Itâ??s one of the IVY LEAGUE. Cornell University is a place for study.

Maria from Queens, NY

While campus is usually very safe, they do send out emails every time a crime occurs and keep you updated.

Clubs and Activities

There are so many clubs to join. I've joined the Dominican Association and some public service organizations. Your options are endless!!

Great for these types of students

Literally any student can fit in at Cornell. However, if you really like the city life with skyscrapers, Cornell might not be for you.

What to do for fun

Collegetown and the Commons are pretty places to visit. Ithaca Mall is also nearby and has an awesome adoption center where you can pet the kittens. As a freshman, Cornell gives you an unlimited bus pass allowing you to visit all these places whenever you desire. There are also cool hangout spots on campus, like the arts quad and the botanical gardens. Fun is what you make of it!

Food and Dining

Food is great! There are plenty of options everyday and an amazing salad bar. Some dishes get old quick, but they are tasty. There is also always fresh fruit everyday!

Dorm Life

The dorms I've seen, and my own, are pretty spacious. Some look cozier than others, but are pretty comfortable overall.

Academic Rigor

As expected, classes are challenging. They require a lot of effort from your part but they are manageable.

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of all the resources offered on campus. Professors and TA's want to help you!

In three sentences

It is an extremely challenging yet rewarding school. Everyday you meet new people and are encouraged to step out of your comfort zone. There is a place for everyone here; you will feel at home!

Easton from Salt Lake City, UT

09/21/2016

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

1 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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In three sentences

How is the Biology and specifically the Zoology major? I am extremely interested in this program, and am curious if there is anyone that is a current zoology or biology major who I could ask some questions.

paul - highland mills, ny

07/31/2016

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

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In three sentences

i absolutely loved this school when i went to visit. the famous is beautiful, the food is amazing, and the people were kind and knowledgeable. if i am accepted to this school in the coming year i will be ecstatic.

Ghawayne from Omaha, NE

12/01/2015

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

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In three sentences

I am really baffled as to the magnificence of this spectacular school. I am head over heels for the beautiful scenery that this college offers. Also, I am really impressed by the diversity of the University.

Jo

always felt safe on campus, its a small town so there is very little crime

Greek Life

Greek life is pretty big but you don't need to join to have social life. One thing I really like about Greek life here is that you rush second semester of freshman year. This way you will make friends outside of your sorority / fraternity before rushing and you have time to decide if you want to join or not.

Clubs and Activities

So many options! From club sports to outing club to volunteering to drama.

Great for these types of students

The student body is really diverse so there isn't really a type of student who goes here

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Acapella groups are a big thing here. Pitch perfect was based off the Acapella groups in Cornell. The Cocktail lounge in Uris Library is literally built into the slope under the clocktower.

West campus has the best dining hall food but North campus dining halls are definitely not bad. You can use BRBs (big red bucks) to get food from any of the cafes on central campus. Trillium has a really good pasta bar and salad bar. Plus, there's always food in Collegetown.

Dorm Life

Freshman all live on North Campus, upperclassmen live on West.

Academic Rigor

Classes are definitely challenging. There are no free points like in high school or even some of the other college courses I've taken. Homework assignments are graded for accuracy and count for a small percentage of the overall grade.

Hunter from Springfield, MO

There is so much nature around the campus that you can barely even see it by satellite. There are so many fun things to do I guess you'll just have to visit and see for yourself.

Food and Dining

The food is decent, but campus food will always be considered unhealthy in my book.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is the same pretty much anywhere you go. The campus here is beautiful and there are many opportunities to get out and have fun. Dorm life will always be a little cramped, but it can be a fun way to meet new people.

Academic Rigor

Courses here are NOT easy. They wouldn't have the reputation that they do if anyone could do anything here. However, once you get past your basics and start really following your major, the classes are very small and your professor is there to help you and only a few other students.

Tips for prospective students

The application for Cornell wasn't easy, but it was very laid-back. Most students receive an interview with an alumni before their application is even complete. The alumni I talked to taught me so much about the campus and what life is like there. It was a normal conversation I would have with anyone, it just is helping get a college education.

In three sentences

The campus is gorgeous. I was really worried about going from a small town in Missouri all the way to New York. The campus is so unlike any other, it's very rural and down-to-earth.

Allison from Deerfield, IL

I've never felt unsafe on campus. I'm a girl and I can walk alone at night here without feeling worried. Everything is very well-lit and there's also a blue-light system for emergencies.

Greek Life

It exists, but it's not like you'll feel left out for not joining. Plenty of people do and plenty don't.

Clubs and Activities

There's an overwhelming amount of stuff out there as soon as you start looking for it. There are lots of options for anyone who wants to join something religiously affiliated as well as a lot of service clubs, but there's also an insect club and I'm in the ukulele club. We also have a ridiculous number of a Capella teams.

Great for these types of students

If you want to get in and do well here, you have to be really driven with your academics. Basically, this is the place for the nerds, and I mean that in the best way. My friends have periodic table mugs and math clocks in their dorm rooms, and it's great.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

As a freshman, I haven't yet experienced Slope Day, but from what I've heard it's basically a huge party on the campus's biggest hill at the end of the year and it's supposed to be great. The Slope also offers an amazing view of Ithaca and the hills surrounding it. There are also bridges that let you walk over gorges and waterfalls. Campus is absolutely beautiful, and there are tons of amazing places and views.

Bang for the buck

Not going to sugarcoat it: Cornell is really expensive, and they continue to nickel-and-dime you after you get there. They have really good financial aid, and will meet demonstrated need. But unlike a lot of schools, there's no free printing, gym passes, or buses (first-year students do get free bus passes, but after that you'll want to buy one). Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but something to think about.

What to do for fun

Greek life exists without being the only option (I think Cornell is about 30% Greek), so you'll be totally fine whether or not you want to join. That being said, there are frat parties on the weekends, but plenty of people don't really go out if that's not your thing. There's also the Cornell Cinema, and the Johnson Museum on campus has a lot of events. There's an observatory only a few minutes walk from North Campus (where the freshman dorms are), there are usually events around holidays with performances from student groups, and there are plenty of clubs to join.

Food and Dining

Cornell's food is great. There's a lot of good vegetarian options and everything is clearly labeled with major allergens and if it's vegetarian/vegan. There's only been a couple side dishes I've ever run into that weren't very good, but generally I've been extremely impressed.

Dorm Life

I live in one of the older dorms and still love it. How much you will enjoy your dorm depends far more on who you're living with than the building itself.

Academic Rigor

The amount of stress you will be under is largely subjective, and relies greatly on your courses. I know people who are at the library even on a Friday night, and I know people who are out partying all weekend. Most assignments are on a weekly basis, so as long as you manage your time, there's plenty of room to get everything done.

Tips for prospective students

Cornell likes well-rounded people. It's important to have strong academics, but show that you have interests and are passionate about something. I would definitely recommend visiting the campus, as it gave me a great impression of what the community of people there is like.

In three sentences

People at Cornell are some of the most passionate, intelligent, interesting people I've ever met. The environment is far more collaborative and engaging than it is competitive or negatively stressful, and the academics are well-balanced with extracurricular and social opportunities. There are a few of the preppy kids, but most are very relaxed and friendly, far from the cliques and drama of high school.

Carli from Rochester Hills, MI

12/30/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

I have never felt unsafe walking around campus. Cornell takes safety very seriously and sends out frequent emails from campus safety with reminders and updates. There are blue lights posted all around campus (it is said that you should always be able to see one blue light wherever you go on campus), and these lights give you access to emergency services or escorts if you ever feel unsafe. As with all places, walking with a buddy is always a good idea at night.

Greek Life

Greek life is very dominant on campus, and there are a large number of diverse houses. Sororities and fraternities are always holding fundraisers or formals. Rush week in January is said to be an unforgettable experience!

Clubs and Activities

There are over 1000 student organizations on campus, and although I am sure you've heard this many times already, there really are clubs for every interest! At ClubFest you will find hundreds of tables set up with people trying to get you to sign their email lists, and if you have even the slightest interest, I suggest signing up. The worst that will happen is that you will receive many emails from tons of clubs, but it may be worth it when one email catches your eye! Many of these clubs hold activities like skating at Lynah Rink or potlucks.

Great for these types of students

Students who are passionate and ready to learn! Also those who are looking to step out of their comfort zones and expand boundaries, experience new things, and test limits. Being brave will get you so many places!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

For unusual traditions, see the 161 Things to do at Cornell! These include anything from climbing the 161 stairs to the top of McGraw Tower to throwing fish on the ice at the Cornell-Harvard mens hockey game! For an unusual location, check out the suspension bridge on campus. With a little exploring, there are tons of places that you will discover that are perfect for lounging around, studying, or eating!

Bang for the buck

Although Cornell is expensive, the school is very accommodating when it comes to financial aid in most cases. Depending on your financial background, the school will do its best to help you attend. Unfortunately, you have to pay for laundry, a gym membership, and parking, among other things.

What to do for fun

There is always something fun going on around campus! Cornell is unique in that it is located around some fantastic hiking trails that lead you past gorges, waterfalls, and other gorgeous places that nature has to offer. There are also many clubs on campus for any interest, ranging from Dance Dance Revolution Club to the Cornell Astronomical Society. Finally, stay up to date on events happening in Ithaca Commons, because a short bus ride can take you to interact with local Ithaca community members at events like Apple Fest or Porch Fest!

Food and Dining

Cornell is known to have some of the best dining options. They always have a diverse spread of food in the dining halls. Unfortunately, I and those like me with food allergies seem to struggle with finding different things to eat. There is always the option to file with student disabilities, but I did not deem my allergies severe enough to do so. Unfortunately I now find myself eating the same things every day. If you have an allergy, I highly suggest talking to the chefs or filing with student disabilities! There is information that you can find online about how to do this.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is very social and supportive at Cornell. I have experienced hall mates become almost like family members as people in pods, in the same hall, or on the same floor will make a point to eat dinner together every night or go to social activities together. I highly suggest keeping your door open during the first few weeks. It is a great way to meet new people that pop in to say hello. In my experience I have lived in Balch Hall, the all-women's residence hall on North Campus. It has a friendly atmosphere, is very clean, and is known for having large rooms!

Academic Rigor

Cornell is challenging and the workload can get overwhelming at times, but there are tons of people that you can reach out to if you ever feel like you need help. Specifically, your academic advisor is a very helpful resource. I've gone to my advisor at times when I feel that I could use advice on scheduling, handling classes and work, and even working out what I want to do with my academic career in the next few years I attend Cornell. Also, although some classes may be hard, forming study groups helps tremendously!

Tips for prospective students

Make sure to truly assess who you are and what you want from your education before sending in your applications! In my experience I applied to 11 schools, and ended up realizing that I should have put quality over quantity. Narrow down your choices to a few schools, and in all of your applications, especially Cornell's, make sure you make yourself stand out. How are you different than all of the other prospective students? In your essays write about what you are passionate about - this will help you in the writing process and make you stand out to the reviewing committee.

In three sentences

Cornell University has a large campus that feels small and intimate. The resources provided to students are unparalleled, as there are research opportunities and classes that allow students to meet professors who are leaders in their fields of work. I consider myself lucky to call this place home, and I have met and been inspired by people from all over the world who are passionate and hardworking.

Christina from Oakland Gardens, NY

12/27/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The students of Cornell are very friendly. The campus is mostly occupied by students. There are not many strangers and outsiders who go on campus since Ithaca is a more secluded area. There are rare instances of stealing. I could leave my Macbook in the library unattended for an hour and still expect to find it there when I come back. There are blue lights/telephones all over campus incase of emergencies. And Kathy the police officer sends us updates every week about campus safety!

Greek Life

Greek life constitutes most of the social life at Cornell. With such a large school, it is hard to branch out and find new friends. Most students choose to rush in order to broaden their social circles. There are over 40 fraternities and 13 sororities.

Great for these types of students

Preppy

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Although it is illegal to swim in the gorges, most students do anyways. Some go gorge jumping as well. There is a list of 161 things every Cornellian should do before he/she graduates.

Bang for the buck

Everything about Cornell is expensive. Although it is a wonderful school, the tuition is very hefty. Unless the parents do not mind paying such a large sum of money or Cornell offered significant financial aid, Cornell would not be a price friendly option.

What to do for fun

Go to the Gorges. Party. Ice Skating. Rowing. Hockey Game.

Food and Dining

Freshman 15 is a very serious issue at Cornell. The all-you-can-eat meal plan is the death of all students. The food is quite good considering dining hall food. There is usually a large selection of food. The dinner options tend to be better than lunch. There are always cafes open for coffee and snack runs. There are also some late night snack places open until 2 am.

Dorm Life

Most dorms are accommodating. The townhouses have an incredible amount of room; however, they are more secluded and it is harder to meet people. CKB and Mews are new dorms and have fully functioning heat and air conditioning. However, the older dorm buildings do not have air conditioning. Nor do they have overhead lighting so personal lamps will be necessary. The RA's are usually very nice and outgoing. There are custodians who frequently clean the bathroom, kitchen, and hall. Overall, the dorms are in very livable conditions. Many students put up decorations and find ways to situate themselves in their rooms.

Academic Rigor

Grade deflation is very prominent at Cornell University. Students' GPAs will be effected by this grading system. There is always a large workload. Even when teachers do not assign hard assignments, they will give students a lot of busy work. Often times, it is overwhelming. Waves of prelims continuously hit students and it seems like a never ending tsunami. Finals are also very hard.

Tips for prospective students

Buy a very warm parka. The longer the coat, the better. Also invest in L.L. Bean boots. Order them in the summer because when fall comes around, the boots will already be back ordered.

In three sentences

Cornell University has an immensely large campus that involves a lot of uphill walking. Despite the academic challenges and grade deflation, most students seem to be quite happy with the school. The vast majority of the student body is very accommodating and socially liberal.

Melinda from Ithaca, NY

12/14/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Generally very safe, if you live on campus. Once you hit the outskirts, it's a little sketch because the lighting system needs to be greatly improved. The CU police are trained very well to work with college students, and everyone's priority is safety, nomatter what, so that is very helpful. There are many services out there to help protect you while you are on campus.

Greek Life

It's great if you want to get involved with IFC or Panhellenic. The campus is about 1/3 Greek, so it's enough that it sure makes a difference but also not overly populated so if you don't go Greek, you will still have friends. For those interested in the Multicultural Greek life, it is also an amazing, but small community. The advisor for the MGC is actually the most amazing person ever. I've been multicultural Greek since my sophomore year and I could never go back. :)

Clubs and Activities

Boasts over 400 student organizations. Make sure you pick and choose though because they can be so much fun but time-consuming.

Great for these types of students

WASPs, multicultural activists, and anyone who enjoys the cold and nature. We are set on top of a mountain, in-between waterfalls.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

161 Things to do at Cornell, task #1: Have sex in the library stacks. I think that kind of says it all. Cornell has many other more appropriate traditions though, and I think that's what makes it so fun.

Bang for the buck

I really don't know yet. The money you pour into this university leaves you deliriously broke. So unless your mom and dad make a ton of money, get a job while you're here.

What to do for fun

There isn't a lot. There are a couple clubs and bars but they are not up to par. The movie theatre and mall are nearby, but the mall has about 7 stores. The commons/downtown area is really nice though and has dozens of mom and pop restaurants and family-run shops which are really fun.

Food and Dining

The food here is actually great. But only if you prefer mostly American food. The dining halls always try to create foods from other cultures, and they do a decent job at it, but don't expect it to be great or come close to restaurant quality. The best thing about Cornell Dining is the options. You will literally be able to find food for any diet-- gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, Kosher, and the next new fad.

Dorm Life

The dorms are generally nicely-sized with amenities. Some are much nicer than others since the school is quite old. Everything here is set on a lottery system, so just hope that you get a good time slot for choosing your room.

Academic Rigor

Cornell's un-official mantra: Easy to get in, hard to get out.

Tips for prospective students

The school may seem large when you get here, so definitely try to get plugged into a club or student group that interests you. Keep in mind that even though everyone seems to be competing with you, there are many friends here. Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors, advisors, friends, etc. Also, buy durable winter boots. Make sure they're not white, and I wouldn't buy anything cute because one winter is enough to damage them.

In three sentences

Students here work hard and play hard. The atmosphere is extremely competitive, and also very liberal. It's the largest Ivy, so you get the rigor of a satisfyingly challenging education, but also the perks of a larger campus with all its amazing diversity and opportunities.

Student from Queens, NY

Campus Police are completely on top of everything and theres a Blue Light on almost every block to call in case of emergency

Greek Life

Its pretty....

Clubs and Activities

Club Fest is massive! So many to choose from and hell, if you don't like the 1,000 we already have, you can create your own (with funding).

Great for these types of students

Students who really want to expand their intellect and skills outside the classroom. Students who are innovated. Students who can handle the pressure.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

O WEEK! O WEEK! ( Basically the first day when Freshmen arrive and the upperclassmen (mostly frats) throw a plethora of parties in College town. House after house is a party and the streets are pretty much filled with students (mostly drunk). It pretty much looks like a scene from project x. It's awesome.

What to do for fun

Go to College Town (for the parties) Ithaca Commons

Food and Dining

We are known for it...

Dorm Life

Absolutely accommodating. In your first year, you can live in the all female dorm, the various new and renovated dorms, program houses (which have different themes ranging from ecology and language to music and theatre), and townhouses (which are pretty much apartments)

Academic Rigor

Incredibly hard. Prelims will be the death of you.

In three sentences

If you are from a big city and you are looking for a new environment where your perspective can grow, Cornell is the place for you. Its located in central Ithaca which ... is pretty isolated, but thats what makes Cornell so damn special. Its own self is it's own city. Wouldn't have imagined going anywhere else. The campus is so beautiful even in the winter with all the snow. And the people you meet here are so bright and friendly.

Michael from Hialeah, FL

07/31/2014

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

0 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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In three sentences

Cornell University is an excellent school to choose in order to continue your academic journey. It has a beautiful campus, amazing professors and can provide an excellent education. The location of the campus, New York, is also an amazing place to live.

Denzel

07/11/2014

Reviewer is A past student here.

8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is pretty safe as well as the surrounding area. Violent crimes are really rare, however, the most reported crime is forcible touching and crimes of a similar nature. Even then these crimes occur slightly off-campus. It is unlikely that something will happen to you while you're walking at night, but it is always a good rule of thumb regardless of where you are not to walk alone at night. This campus is equipped with the Blue Light systems so the police are just a phone call away.

Clubs and Activities

Let me put it this way: if you have an interest in it, there is most likely a club for it. Cornell has a lot of clubs and organizations on-campus including professional societies, intramural sports, community service groups, martial arts clubs, religious organizations, and performing groups just to name a few. Most of these clubs are well funded so they are able to do almost whatever they want/need to do.

Great for these types of students

Adventurous, enjoy a challenge, not opposed to a lot of walking (Cornell has a very large campus), strong willed, nature lovers, down-to-earth

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

1) Cornell has a small lake between North and Central Campus along with many gorges and rivers. 2) There is also a botanical garden and arboretum that is part of the campus that is very beautiful during the spring and summer. 3) The biggest celebration at Cornell is called Slope Day where everyone gathers on Libe Slope after the last day of classes for a massive concert with guests such as Ludacris, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Not to mention great food.

Bang for the buck

I was always comfortable with knowing my money was being well spent. Due to the funding Cornell gave to one of my clubs, I was able to go to conferences in Nashville, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh, paying less than $150 each time. I also took advantage of a lot of free services such career services, transcript orders, bus pass and more than I can count. Also, if you are from a warm climate (e.g. California, Texas, Florida, etc.) the financial aid office will reimburse you up to $500 for your winter clothing if you submit a budget increase form. As far as post graduation, Cornell really helped me get into a PhD program in Mechanical Engineering even though my grades were not that high.

What to do for fun

For fun, there is always something to do on campus except during study period and finals week. If you join a club or two and keep your eyes open for flyers finding something to do will be easy. Word of mouth always works too. As far as off-campus goes, Ithaca is one of those towns that would not exist if not for the universities that reside there, but there are a couple things you can do. In October, the city hosts a weekend-long apple festival where many local vendors come out to showcase many edible goodies for sale such as apple cider, funnel cake, caramel apples, and much more. The apple cider donuts are to die for. In February, you can warm up to Ithaca's Chili Festival. There are also tons of restaurants in Collegetown and the Commons that serve a diverse cuisine (this is how I first tried Indian food). If this isn't enough for you, there is a list of 161 things Every Cornellian Should do. If you start running out of stuff to do, refer to this list. http://cornellsun.com/blog/2005/02/27/big-red-ambition-161-things-every-cornellian-should-do/

Food and Dining

Cornell Dining food is delicious, I've had food at other universities and none of them compare to the level of Cornell dining. I guess having a culinary school on campus helps. The food is the closest thing to a home-cooked meal you can get without going to an expensive restaurant or going home. The meal plans can be a little pricey compared to buying and cooking your own food, but as long as you use it (don't skip meals) it's worth every penny. The best thing that Cornell consistently does is their ice cream which they make on campus. Be careful though, it's called the Freshman 15 for a reason.

Dorm Life

Some of the dorms may be a little old (i.e. 1960s and 1970s), however they still have a very cozy feeling to them. Some of the older buildings do not have air conditioning in the rooms, but the weather in Ithaca, NY only requires you use it 3-5 weeks out of the academic year (unless you stay for the summer). As a freshman, you are guaranteed housing in the dormitories and you will be placed in North Campus with other freshman, facilitating the social experience. After your freshman year, you have the option to move into the West Campus or Collegetown housing system with more modern dorms if you choose to where the dorm life is similar aside from the possibility that there is a lower turnout at dorm events due to a busier academic life. The housing office gives plenty of money to the dorms to sponsor a variety of events such as barbecues, movie nights, trips to New York City and Niagara Falls, and many more at a free or discounted price.

Academic Rigor

It would be a disservice to the Cappex community if I said that Cornell will be easy. I was in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in high school and while it prepared me a little bit for the lower level courses I took during my freshman and sophomore year, the classes were still very challenging especially if you are taking a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) class. Most STEM classes are curved, so your performance in the class is based on how you did in relation to everyone else in the class. You can always unwind in one of Cornell's 150+ PE classes if you have time, I personally recommend the archery or martial arts classes taught by Kevin Seaman. The academic journey at Cornell may be difficult, but it is certainly worth it in the end because it will prepare you for your future endeavors whether it be graduate school or employment. Luckily, your finals period are stretched out over 2 weeks with no classes during that time.

Tips for prospective students

1) Make sure you have some longstanding extracurricular activities (nonacademic ones especially) to put on your application it really sets you apart from the crowd. During the 5 years I spent there I never met anyone who didn't do an extracurricular activity during high school 2) If you have the opportunity to do so, visit the campus. It is really important that you know where you are going to be spending 75% of the next 4-5 years of your life. Whatever college you choose should make you feel at home. 3) When writing you college application essay speak about something you're passionate about, speak truthfully, and from your heart it will catch administrators' attention. 4) Go into your freshman year expecting the worst as far as academic rigor, this way you will not be caught off-guard. Do not underestimate the difficulty of your classes

In three sentences

Cornell is a wonderful institution with a beautiful campus complete with rivers and waterfalls. The five years I spent there were academically challenging, socially rewarding, and an unforgettable experience. I would not trade my undergraduate career at Cornell for any other institution.

Erin from Locke, NY

07/11/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Cornell has a blue light system, but overall is not super well lit at night. I never hear about attacks on campus, but it's always a good idea to follow the buddy system no matter where you are. I have felt very safe on campus even when walking alone at night, though.

Greek Life

I'm not personally involved in Greek life, but about 30% of the student body is. If you're looking to be involved in a fraternity or sorority, there is definitely opportunity here for that. If you don't want to be involved, that's totally fine! Neither does the other 70% of the student body. This definitely isn't a campus where you have to pledge to be social.

Clubs and Activities

There is literally a club for every person. If it doesn't exist already, you can make it yourself with a group of friends.

Great for these types of students

Cornell is great for dedicated students. I didn't fit in super well in high school but I've found tons of people like me here. It's a great community of people that want to do well and learn. We have our fun and Greek life is very prominent on campus, but even those students know when it's time to study.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

DRAGON DAY! Every year, the freshman architects make a huge dragon that they parade around campus. They compete with a phoenix that the freshman engineers make. It's a pretty cool tradition! SLOPE DAY!! After the last day of classes in the spring, Cornell hosts an all-day party on the slope. There are concerts in the afternoon and it's a great way to celebrate surviving the year! It's also a nice break before you have to start studying for final exams.

Bang for the buck

So, it's expensive. The education is phenomenal, there's no debating that. There are financial aid programs available, but overall this isn't a bargain college.

What to do for fun

There are hundreds of clubs that you can join as a student at Cornell. If you're athletic, there are tons of club and intramural level sports to participate in. If that's not your thing, you can find activities ranging from engineering project teams to qudditch to squirrel watching. There are dance teams, community service organizations, musical groups, etc. Basically, if you can think of it, there's probably a club for it. If there isn't, you can get a group of friends together and make that club. The possibilities are endless. There is a club fair every fall so you can see what's available!

Food and Dining

Cornell's food ranks really well compared to other college campuses. They try really hard to accommodate dietary restrictions and offer a variety of meal options. In addition to the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, there are lots of cafes on campus where you can find other (sometimes better) food. Those are closer to classes and where most students choose to eat lunch. That's a good thing to keep in mind when considering which meal plan to choose. There is one dining hall on central campus where the classes are, but that can get pretty crowded.

Dorm Life

Some dorms are definitely better than others, but you have no choice between the freshman dorms. The RAs and Residence Hall Directors work hard to make events for the residents, including both on campus programs and trips to get you into the Ithaca community and beyond. Overall, facilities are average, with the newer buildings coming with perks like air conditioning and semi-private bathrooms. If you don't want to live in a dorm, Cornell offers several program houses such as ecology, music, arts, international students, native american students, african american students, etc. Students from any year can live in the program houses and they are generally well liked by their residents.

Academic Rigor

Challenging doesn't even begin to describe classes at Cornell. You will be faced with more work than you've ever though possible, but that forces you to learn how to time manage and work efficiently. Introductory level classes are fairly big and individualized attention comes from office hours and recitation sections. If you want the individualized attention, you have to go above the actual course requirements.

Tips for prospective students

When you come to Cornell, you have to know what you're getting yourself into. This is a rigorous school with dedicated students that want to succeed as much as you do. There will be competition in classes and grades may not come as easily as they did in high school. Don't let that sneak up on you before the first round of tests. While academic excellence is almost certainly a concern, make sure to find balance in your life and join one of Cornell's many clubs. This is a great way to meet people, let off some steam, and get involved with the campus community.

In three sentences

Cornell is a work hard, play hard type of environment. The classes are rigorous and challenging, but there is also a club or activity for every person. As a world renowned research institution, there are opportunities here that you would not find elsewhere.

Carey from Teaneck, NJ

05/03/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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What to do for fun

Students at Cornell enjoy concerts, lectures, club and intramural sports, parties, and more. On-campus amenities include 2 climbing walls, several gyms, bowling, movies, and more. When the weather is nice, the Cornell Plantations feature hiking and gardens.

Food and Dining

Cornell has some of the best dining options of any college in the country, with a wide variety of food options, including several all-you-can-eat dining halls. Healthy, natural and local options exist, and Cornell Orchards and Dairy products often show up on campus. Although late-night options are limited to two locations, there are generally few other complaints.

Dorm Life

Dorms are great at Cornell, especially for freshmen. Court-Kay-Bauer and Mews are generally held to be the nicest North Campus dorms, although the others are by no means bad. Townhouses are further away, but nice if you want more independence and to build a close relationship with 2-3 housemates. West Campus upperclass dorms are phenomenal, with dining halls in dorm buildings, and other amenities like libraries and recreation rooms. They are somewhat tough to get into, so upperclass students may end up in less-desirable off-campus dorms. However, if you do get West, you can stay there as long as you like! Many students, especially upperclassmen, will opt for either off-campus housing or Greek housing.

Academic Rigor

Cornell is without question one of the hardest schools in the country. People are here to push themselves academically, and faculty have no problem helping them reach that goal. The environment, despite popular belief, is not cutthroat. During exam weeks, the school basically shuts down as students crowd into libraries. People here care about their grades. Luckily, once testing is done people lighten up.

Tips for prospective students

It's important to have good numbers, but you need more than that as everyone here excelled in high school. Cornell places a very strong emphasis on community , so demonstrating how you will get involved in the campus and build a stronger community is crucial for a successful application.

In three sentences

Cornell epitomizes the work hard, play hard attitude the Ivy League is known for. It's exclusive, but not elitist, and academics are obviously the priority. Hundreds of student organizations exist, and Greek Life is prevalent but not overpowering.

Cornell seems to be a very socially together school. I went to a football game there and it was very clear that the entire school wanted to support their team! It made me really want to be a part of that kind of college life.

Dorms are not the best, but they definitely are not the worst. My only wish is that the Housing Office would be more willing to accommodate students and care about suiting individual needs.

Academic Rigor

Very challenging, but manageable.

Tips for prospective students

Don't worry about making friends, many people are very friendly and helpful here. Try to do something outside of your comfort zone, just to see if you find a new interest (great way to meet new people).

In three sentences

Cornell University provides numerous opportunities for students to pursue their dreams here. During my time here as a student, I have found it very easy to develop my old interests and pick up new interests. With the education I receive from Cornell, I have no doubt that I will accomplish all of my goals.

Alex from Ithaca, NY

Varies from dorm to dorm. Usually the SAs and GRF are quite helpful. West campus housing is remarkable.

Academic Rigor

Keep up with the workload on a daily basis. Never hesitate to seek help if need be.

Tips for prospective students

Try to get to know your professors, indulge in activities outside classrooms and explore the campus as well as Ithaca!

In three sentences

A plethora of majors are available to students which allow them to explore a variety of disciplines. Amazing faculty and research opportunities are available. Housing and dining is also one of the best in the US!

Engineering Student

12/30/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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What to do for fun

Friday nights generally consist of: 1. Parties 2. Going to Wal-Mart 3. Studying more There isn't that much to do in Ithaca, to be honest. It's very different from any university within a few minutes walk/bike from a major city. Most fun activities will come from clubs or other student organizations, so look into those, if you are interested in any. The people are great, but the activities are limited.

Food and Dining

Good, but even then, it gets old. While Cornell dining is well known to be among the best, it's still not quite restaurant caliber. As someone who grew up surrounded by great food from around the world at low prices, I've been somewhat spoiled. The biggest issue here is cost: given a standard meal plan, each all-you-can-eat meal comes out to about $14.

Dorm Life

Very dependent on location. While still better (in general) than many other schools, it can vary. As a Freshman, rooms in Dickson are worthy of 2-star ratings (cramped, poorly lit, old), while rooms in Mews or Court-Kay-Bauer (spacious, great restrooms, excellent facilities) are easily 5. As a Sophomore or Junior, the Gothics on West Campus are trash (generally unpleasant to live in), while Alice Cook House, for example, is great.

Academic Rigor

It is fairly rigorous for engineers. The pace at which the classes move is reasonably fast, and falling behind is unforgiving. That being said, everything is still very manageable. The textbooks are generally well written (get digital versions, don't waste money with hard copies!) and allow for effective self-study. Even if you are having difficulty in the classes, there are many opportunities for extra help; group study sessions, free tutors, and many other offerings won't fail you, as long as you're willing to put in the time and effort.

Tips for prospective students

Do NOT come in with the same mentality as you did in high school (if you were a procrastinator/slacker like me). Many students struggle through Freshman and Sophomore years and decide to drop out of the Engineering school because they are unwilling to put in the amount of work necessary. You cannot afford to cram or do the bare minimum required on the problem sets. To do significantly better than average, you will have to put in significantly more work. Everybody at Cornell comes from the top of their class in high school; you are not as special as you once were.

Rondeline from Riverside, CA

12/30/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I would say Cornell is one of the safest campuses due to its location and commitment to safety. Each week, students receive emails from campus police as updates of the campus' current safety practices. There are also blue lights all over campus that allows students the option of being escorted back to their dorms at night, should they not feel safe. I have never had that issue before, but it is nice to have the option. Like on any campus, there are always potential dangers, which is why I gave safety four stars, but we haven't had very many compromising safety concerns at all. You should definitely feel safe at Cornell.

Clubs and Activities

There are over 900 (yes, 900) clubs on campus that range from squirrel watchers to a club just for meat lovers. The campus clubs certainly reveal the incredible diversity at Cornell. I can guarantee that you will find a club or activity that fits your interests. If not, make your own!

Great for these types of students

Anyone who is willing and ready to be challenged! It is worth it in the end, even if it does't seem that way in the moment.

What to do for fun

Ithaca is a fairly rural town but you should be able to find things to do on campus. During the fall and spring, many students attend local farmer's markets. There are also a number of sports teams students are welcome to support, including ice hockey, football and basketball. You could also consider hiking, canoeing, swimming, going to the gym, yoga, a movie, or a day in downtown Ithaca.

Food and Dining

The food is some of the best in the country! There are 30 dining places on campus, and I'd say the cream of the crop is actually on West Campus where many upperclassman stay. Freshman are welcome to venture off to West Campus with their meal plan, but also have the option of two full-service dining halls and a small convenience store and grill on North Campus.

Dorm Life

All freshman live together on North Campus. There, you will find single rooms, double rooms, triple rooms, and townhouses. What's more, there are several program houses also located on North Campus, including Holland International Living Center, Ujamaa Residential College, Latino Living Center, and Just About Music. There are so many options when it comes to living arrangements, you are sure to find one that suits your lifestyle. Every dorm has Residential Advisors (RA's), which are generally upperclassman who have gone through training to assist you should any problems in the dorms arise. There are also faculty advisors in each North Campus dorm to assist freshman with the transition from living with family to being out on their own for the first time. If you aren't used to sharing bathrooms or sharing space, it will probably be a slight adjustment at first, but it is all a part of the transition.

Academic Rigor

Cornell is probably one of he most challenging Universities around because of its notoriety and commitment to academic excellence. Prepare to be challenged and shaped into a world-class scholar.

Tips for prospective students

Allow the admissions officers to see your true colors and be completely honest. They can generally spot a lie or an over exaggeration. When writing your essays, remember that this is your time to brag about yourself and your accomplishments. Ask yourself, How have I grown over the last 4 years? and most importantly, What can I add to the Cornell campus? Just as you are to learn something during your time at Cornell, Cornell should be able to learn something from you.

In three sentences

Cornell University is a hidden treasure. It is absolutely beautiful during the fall and winter, which can be comforting during finals week, and it has a wide array of opportunity. The faculty are at the top of their field, the programs are tier one, and a degree from an Ivy League Institution certainly doesn't hurt either.

Compared to most schools, the dining here is high end. THe food is good and there is variety.

Dorm Life

North campus (freshman housing) is a 10-20 minute walk from Central Campus, and there are no libraries. West Campus (upperclassmen housing) is coveted and hard to get. Also, you walk up the slope to class. Most people try to live in fraternity or sorority housing or in Collegetown.

Academic Rigor

Classes can be hard, and prelims (midterms) and finals stress everyone out. However, in many classes, it is possible to work hard and succeed as a result.

Tips for prospective students

Do not be put off by Cornell's location. I have trouble making time to leave campus just because there are always events going on!

In three sentences

Enough academic rigor to ensure a successful future. Enough social events to provide the classic college experience. A great way to spend four years.

Susan from Canehill, AR

11/12/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Cornell is a very safe campus, and they take security and safety very seriously. There are multiple programs in place to make the campus safer at night, including buddies sent to walk you back to your room and the Blue Light emergency phones. You'll know about everything that happens within 48 hours typically, and it's nice to know that the school doesn't hide anything from its students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Dragon Day--that awesome day when the Architecture students parade their dragon through campus. Slope Day--the day everyone looks forward to or wishes they could put on rewind, full of fun, friends, and live music.

Bang for the buck

Cornell definitely gives you the bang for your buck, and they'll even accommodate your buck! The quality is overall amazing, and then the financial aid makes it even better with a great and very fair system.

What to do for fun

There are clubs and groups for everything you could imagine, and if you happen to think of something they don't have, it's easy to start your own thing. From a cappella groups and varsity sports to squirrel club and Quidditch, there are tons of options available. Plus, there are great places to go and things to see in the area.

Food and Dining

Cornell's food and dining is absolutely one of the best, especially on West Campus. Once you take in consideration that it's still campus food cooked in large quantities, you'll come to realize that your food is hundreds of times better than what your high school friends have at their schools. Plus, they accommodate food allergies and other dietary restrictions or choices very well.

Dorm Life

You'll hear about Court-Kay-Bauer and Mews being the best places to live on North Campus, but in actually, no place is lacking. Yeah, air conditioning is nice for the first and last few weeks of school, but you don't need it the rest of the year. There are a lot of housing options on campus and, no matter where you live, you will find your niche.

Academic Rigor

Albeit, as a member of the Ivies, Cornell is tough, but it's the feeling of accomplishment when you work hard and succeed that makes it all worth it in the end. Even if you don't end up doing as well as you had hoped, you'll learn to realize that you've been given an amazing education and wonderful opportunities that not everyone gets.

Tips for prospective students

Do not let finances or your numbers get between you and applying to Cornell, especially if your desire for this school is great; Cornell looks past those things to see if you're the kind of person who idealizes the school, and they'll try hard and fair to get you if they want you. Also, buy a winter coat, or two.

In three sentences

With a beautiful campus, variety of course offerings, and great student body, no one can go wrong with Cornell. Ezra's founding line holds true to this day with the seven colleges offering a tremendous breadth of majors and minors, each one led by a wonderful set of professors and staff. You can't go wrong with the Big Red.

Marisa from Ithaca, NY

The Cornell Police Dept does a great job helping keep campus safe. We have a blue light system you can use if you feel unsafe at any time while on campus.

Greek Life

The greek life on campus is amazing. I am part of a sorority and I have had nothing but positive experiences. The houses are all nice and some are old mansions!

Clubs and Activities

There is every type of club you can imagine on campus. Ranging from the cheese club, the squirrel watching club and winemaking club! You'll definitely find a club that is right for you.

Great for these types of students

Agriculture, Engineers, etc. Our motto is Any person, any study.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Gorge jumping/swimming in the gorges, 161 things a Cornellian should do before graduation (there is a list you can google), eat ice cream made by the Cornell Dairy.

What to do for fun

Go on a walk, join clubs, volunteer, sports, join a fraternity/sorority and explore the Ithaca Commons.

Tips for prospective students

I would definitely try to get involved with some research that a professor that you like is conducting. This is a great way to start getting involved and help make a path to what kind of career you want after college. Doing research will also help you decide if you truly enjoy what you are studying.

In three sentences

Cornell University is an institution where you learn so much. Not only academically--but, how to manage time and what kind of person you are. At Cornell, I have really grown into a responsible and educated person.

Savannah from Highland, CA

10/21/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Cornell has it's very own police department and there are multiple emergency phones located around campus if needed. Furthermore, Cornell has it's own medical clinic, and the CUPD does regular patrols of the campus, making a very safe place to be at any time.

Greek Life

The Greek life on campus is very diverse. There are numerous professional or service fraternities, in addition to social and bonding sororities and fraternities available. There's basically a Greek house available to almost anyone.

Clubs and Activities

There are over 1000 clubs on campus, ranging from professional and activist clubs, cultural clubs, to learning how to play instruments or watching certain tv shows with one another.

Great for these types of students

Any! There are so many types of studies and people at Cornell that it's nearly impossible to feel like you don't fit in.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Cornell has so many fun traditions. For starters, there is a list of 161 things to do before graduating - each thing unique yet fun! There are also multiple concerts and comedy shows available by well-known artists each semester. But the big tradition on campus is slope day! On the biggest hill in campus, during the last week of school, there is a day where all students get to attend multiple concerts and enjoy the sun with their classmates before school lets out.

Bang for the buck

Honestly, it depends on what your financial background is. But typically Cornell is pretty fair in their financial aid decisions. Personally it was cheaper for me to attend an ivy league school than it would have been to attend a state school because of the ability of aid that Cornell is able to give to its students.

What to do for fun

There are SO many things! There's the Ithaca commons, over 1000 clubs, hiking, gorge jumping, nature walks, and so much more. Cornell also makes a point to put on numerous events to keep the students preoccupied and busy in their free time!

Food and Dining

Cornell's culinary abilities are amazing! The options given at each meal are nice and diverse, there is always something to eat. However, if you eat at the same place every single day, the food, like anywhere else, will all start to taste the same.

Dorm Life

In my experience, my floor mates are very social and nice. While we may not have the same interests or majors, we are all friends and make a point to hang out in the common room with one another. Everyone is friendly and is going through, or has been through, the nerve-wracking experience that is freshman year, so having a support system of 90+ people on the floor is extremely helpful and comforting, especially when you are feeling stressed or particularly homesick.

Academic Rigor

It is challenging, but there is definitely help here that allows anything to be possible. With enough determination, Cornell is definitely a place where anyone can succeed.

Tips for prospective students

Applying early decision will really help your chances at getting in. Honestly, SAT/ACT scores aren't so important; it's about who you are. Make sure your essays show your passion for something - anything - and it will greatly increase your chances of having a well-rounded application. A visit to campus beforehand also can't hurt, but I don't think it's necessary to be successful here.

In three sentences

The campus is absolutely beautiful and breath-taking in the fall. The tutoring and resources available for extra help are immensely helpful and readily available at most times of the day. Cornell also tries very hard to keep its students happy and very entertained while on campus.

Nad

10/06/2013

Reviewer is A past student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

In general, the campus is very safe. Cornell has implemented many services to see to that. For example, there is the blue light shuttle which will pick you up from the library late at night during finals so that you don't have walk home alone (this is especially reassuring for females). There are also blue light emergency poles located all around campus so that if you ever encounter a problem you can run to one and immediately call for help. Like in any place, you should also take preventative measures and practice street smarts, but I have never felt unsafe on campus.

Greek Life

I will be honest, Greek life is a very big part of campus. There are many different types of social frats and sororities as well as service and academic ones. However, it is not so dominant that you will feel isolated if you do not wish to join. I, myself, never wished to join a sorority and never felt out of place because of it. I was friends with plenty of girls and guys in Greek life, and even attended some formals and events.

Clubs and Activities

As a mentioned above, there are clubs for anything you can imagine, and if it surprisingly doesn't exist, you can create your own. There is really no possible way that one cannot find at least one club of interest.

Great for these types of students

Great for students that wish to challenge themselves, to surround themselves with diverse individuals, and that are motivated.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Every year, the Cornell Daily Sun (the campus newspaper) publishes the 161 things you should do before you graduate (161 alludes to the number of steps you have to climb to reach the top of our famous clock tower). Item number one on the list is actually having sex in the library stacks. Trying to accomplish as much of the list as you can is usually a shared goal and you will oftentimes hear seniors talking about the items they still have to cross off. Midnight the night before the start of Fall semester finals, it is also a tradition for freshman to open up their windows and scream at the top of their lungs. All of North Campus yells and it's actually pretty impressive.

Bang for the buck

It is no surprise that Cornell comes with an Ivy League price tag, but it also provides you with plenty of connections. Throughout the year you see representatives from Fortune 500 companies and from top graduate schools recruiting around campus. Having a degree from Cornell opens many doors. If you are also a member of certain social or academic clubs within campus you have yet another advantage. Moreover, Cornell has an amazing financial aid department. I was lucky enough to attend all four years on a full ride.

What to do for fun

For those that look for fun in terms of the typical college partying, you can definitely find it here. Greek life is pretty big on campus and so are fraternity parties. There are also bars and dancing. If you are looking for crazy night clubs, however, you won't find them here. There are plenty of options for people who are looking for fun without alcohol. There are a lot of school clubs that host events and there are often activity nights, concerts, and performances. We also have the Cornell Cinema and a bowling alley on campus, in addition to everything else in town. During the day and weekends, you can find plenty of things to do, especially if you love the outdoors. Cornell has a beautiful campus surrounded by nature. You can explore the Cornell gorges (but please be careful--educate yourself on gorge safety and make sure you abide by any signs that restrict certain areas for safety), bike ride through the plantations, or kayak around Cayuga lake. In the winter you can go to Greek Peak to ski or snowboard.

Food and Dining

The dining is really superb compared to other universities. In the dining halls you will find hibachi stations, salad bars, and special themed nights (sometimes catered by local restaurants). There are also plenty of restaurants around town that deliver to your dorm or apartment.

Dorm Life

I had the chance to live in Dickson my freshman year and it was an extremely social dorm. It was not a new building, but the atmosphere really made up for it. It is mandatory for you to live on campus for your first year at Cornell, which I believe is smart. All freshman live in one area of campus (North Campus) which makes it easier to meet new people and to feel surrounded by others that are going through the same emotions and overall journey. On North Campus you have many options for dorms, old and new, and different room styles: single, double, triple, suite-style, etc. Each dorm, and sometimes even sections within the dorm, hosts different events to ensure a community feel. I have heard that some dorms, however, are structurally not conducive to a social environment, but if that's the case, you can still hang out at other people's dorms or request to move.

Academic Rigor

Academic rigor really depends on which college within Cornell you attend and your major. The School of Hotel Administration, for example, has a reputation of being a breeze, while the School of Engineering is known as one of the most academically challenging schools. However, regardless of these differences, it is true that there is a base level of rigor that seems to surpass other universities. All you need to remember is that it is all doable. You just need to find your own rhythme practice good time management skills and take advantage of office hours and all the resources available to you. If you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to speak to the professors, ask for extensions, talk to your adviser.

Tips for prospective students

Don't let yourself become overwhelmed by the workload or competitive environment, find a balance between work and play. Try out different school clubs, talk to professors after class, take classes that you are interested in, regardless of your declared major. You should attempt to be open-minded and try new things. These four years go by faster than you can imagine and I doubt you will get the chance to take advantage of all that a university has to offer, especially Cornell, at another point in your life.

In three sentences

While the workload can be intimidating, the resources you will be exposed to and the experiences you'll have will make it all worth it. The different colleges within the university give you the sense that you are part of a small, tight-knit community, yet you get to explore a large, beautiful campus. I would highly recommend it.

Sanaya from Dublin, OH

08/13/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Ithaca is a relatively small town and safety concerns are rarely an issue in the mind of students. Especially on campus, there is plenty of lighting at night and many students are walking around campus after late classes or activities. The safety service personnel are also readily available and accessible and many night transportation services are available for students who are wary of being out at night. When incidents do occur, they normally occur off campus and Cornell and Ithaca police departments work quickly to inform the students and gather pertinent information. I, personally, never have felt in unsafe on campus. Students should just remain cognizant of their surroundings and try to travel with others, especially at night.

Clubs and Activities

There are many different clubs and activities available on campus that have already been created or are in the works of becoming official. From sports teams to music clubs to service to random common interests, there is a club for just about anything you can think of! Just be sure to seek it out! Club fest is a great way to be introduced to hundreds of organizations that already exist on campus and are actively looking for new members.

Cornell is an amazing place where students are sure to have a wonderful college experience. As the price of college is rising, however, it is notable to consider whether an Ivy League education is worth the 60grand price tag. In that sense, I feel that all education is overpriced. But Cornell's education may be somewhat justifiably overpriced. You definitely get a great education from an ivy league faculty, many extracurricular opportunities, and great future networking--however, the amount of money after tuition and housing, etc for any private college these days is borderline ridiculous.

What to do for fun

Although the town of Ithaca is rather small, the beauty of the campus and surrounding areas is unmatchable on a college campus. There are huge gorges and waterfalls to see and hike to, beautiful rolling parks with wildflowers and trees, and the famous, pristine Finger Lakes. Such scenery allows for many outdoor activities. Besides the nature, Cornell also organizes many fun activities to participate in, and there is always something interesting going on somewhere on campus--whether it is a dorm field trip to the Corning Glass Museum or celebrating the Indian Holi festival with a paint festival or listening to visiting professors' talks.

Food and Dining

The food at Cornell is top quality; ranked 3rd overall in the nation! There are many options in the dining halls for all meals of the day--with many conveniently spaced near the residence halls on campus. The dining halls use a meal swipe system where once you enter, you have an all-you-can-eat buffet. There are also many small cafe's where you can purchase sandwiches, soups, salads, etc (one time meals) for when you don't have time to go to dining halls. Obviously after 9 months of eating the same type of food, it does tend to get a little bit boring but the food quality is generally quite good.

Dorm Life

The dorms are very nice, comfortable, and clean. Although freshman dorms are quite far from main campus, the walk to central is refreshing and helpful before classes. Many dorms have suite style living which allows you to connect with many people broadly and smaller groups on a close-knit scale. Some of the dorms are older than others but usually most appliances and furnishings work well. The dorm environment allows friendships to build extremely well and the supervisors (RA's and the like) are sometimes helpful but not overbearing.

Academic Rigor

The academic level of an Ivy League school like Cornell University is intense. Everyone always has lots of work to do--especially the engineers and science/math students. However, the faculty and staff are very open and available to students and many assignments are designed for cooperation with peers--so it is often easy to find help.

Tips for prospective students

Know what you want ahead of time from your education. If you want an intense curriculum with many challenges but also significant opportunities for help and growth along the way, Cornell may be a great option for you. If you plan to slack off in college and take it easy, Cornell is definitely not the place for you. Make sure you get involved and interact with as many people as you can the very first few days--that is how you build amazing relationships with other students, friends, and professors.

In three sentences

Cornell is a fantastic university concerned about higher education and cooperation. There are a wide variety of activities to become involved in which encourage students to become active members in their communities and improve their own lives. Cornell is the place to be in a growing, high speed world.

Allie

There have been many incidences in the previous year, but all were in/near collegetown.

Greek Life

Any kind of person can join greek life. A third of the campus in involved in greek life!

Clubs and Activities

Amazing number of clubs.

Great for these types of students

ALL

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

SLOPE DAY. Not unusual at school, but maybe compared to other campuses. enjoy.

Bang for the buck

Tuition is ridiculously expensive, but I guess all Ivies are like that.

What to do for fun

Go to the commons, explore campus, go on a beautitul, scenic run, do the list of 161 things to do before you graduate.

Food and Dining

GREAT FOOD. We are always top ten in the country and ranked second for vegan/vegetarian options. You won't be disappointed.

Dorm Life

This can vary a lot. If you are in one of the newer and air-conditioned dorms, life will be awesome. They're beautiful. However, if you get stuck in one of the older buildings, you may not be as comfortable, but there's definitely cool people in every dorm.

Academic Rigor

If you're want to be an architect, engineer, or you're premed/prelaw, life WILL BE DIFFICULT. Some classes have strange curves, and you will probably never know your exact grade until you receive it at the end of the semester. Be careful in choosing difficult classes your first semester.

Tips for prospective students

Visit during the months of January or February so you can get a feel for the weather. It's definitely not for everyone. Have an open mind and explore as many new clubs and classes as you can the first year. Don't be afraid to take chances.

In three sentences

Cornell is the most welcoming place you will ever go. You will meet so many different kinds of people. Your world will open up to numerous opportunities and experiences.

Josh

08/01/2013

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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In three sentences

Overall a great place. The summer weather was lovely and everyone was quick to offer assistance in navigating their large campus. The admissions officers were friendly and honest about what they were looking for.

Christina from Penuelas, PR

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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What to do for fun

Social activities at Cornell are vast. It is only a manner of discovering which are the ones that appeal to you.

Food and Dining

Food and dining is top notch. There are different locations to choose from as well as a great variety of dishes.

Dorm Life

Still have not experienced dorm life myself, but I have heard no complaints. Everybody seems to find their niche in each of the different dorms. There are also apartment-style, themed, and Greek houses as other living options.

Academic Rigor

I have yet to try Cornell's academic rigor, but am sure it is a challenge.

Tips for prospective students

Do not be intimidated by hectic coursework rumors. One only needs to be organized and have confidence.

In three sentences

Cornell's campus is gorgeous: it is broad and scenic. You continuously learn new things from Cornellians and their different backgrounds. Boredom is never an option, because daily activities seize to stop.

Logan from Wrentham, MA

Campus blue light system makes you feel safe even in the darkest places at the latest hours.

Greek Life

Close to 40 frats and 20 sororities, some of the best Greek life in the country.

Clubs and Activities

Find any club you can ever think of, literally.

Great for these types of students

All types.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Dragon Day: where engineers build a huge dragon and bring it around campus on the streets with a police escort.

Bang for the buck

Very expensive school but well worth it.

What to do for fun

I am a varsity athlete on the wrestling team and is the most fun I need.

Food and Dining

Cornell is ranked top 5 in the country for dining and deservingly so. Delicious food with a multitude of options.

Dorm Life

I lived in the townhouses which were awesome with a kitchen, family room, bathroom, and two bedrooms.

Academic Rigor

Academics are very challenging but help is there whenever you need it.

Tips for prospective students

You must get involved in clubs and extracurricular activities. Knock on your neighbors' doors and get to know everyone you can, you will not regret it.

In three sentences

Cornell University is the best thing that has happened to me in my life thus far. It offers an opportunity to anyone from any background to be successful and achieve his/her dreams. I could not be happier with my decision to attend Cornell University.

MK from upstate NY

Choices are endless!! Every sport, club, group, function you can think of. So many it's hard to choose. 5 star

Food and Dining

Absolutely every type of dining you can imagine. Food is amazing!!! 5 star +++++

Dorm Life

Dorm choices are unbelievable. Choices are numerous. Like many colleges some options are better than others. Impossible to not find a match for your personality though.

Academic Rigor

Some classes are very demanding, but the help is there. Budgeting your time and taking advantage of all the resources will make it all worth the commitment!

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of ALL that Cornell offers. The staff and community at Cornell wants you to succeed and is so incredibly supportive. All you have to do is look and ask. Beyond academics Cornell is bursting with amazing opportunities. Budget your time, study hard and leave time to relax and have fun. Advisement team is incredible!!! Never ever give up, there is always someone that is willing to help.

In three sentences

The Cornell University motto is: I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study (Ezra Cornell). . Cornell is top notch Ivy League and is a one incredible supportive community within another. Five Star PLUS!!!

Victoria from Plainsboro, NJ

06/17/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I have never felt unsafe. It is a generally quiet area with campus police available when necessary.

Greek Life

I am a member of Alpha Xi Delta and have found it to be a rewarding experience. The sisterhood bonds last for life and they will help you through anything. There is no apparent Greek vs. Non-greek stigma and everyone just finds the place where they are meant to be.

Clubs and Activities

Everything you could possibly imagine. For example, I learned how to belly dance and joined a belly dance troupe on campus my Freshman year. There is a group for everything!

Great for these types of students

All students can call Cornell home. Diversity and acceptance are a huge part of the university's values.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The McGraw clock tower is home to the Cornell Chimes. They are played by Chimes Masters two to three times a day. They play requests like Happy Birthday or Hedwig's Theme. This makes the campus more magical when passing between classes.

Bang for the buck

The school is expensive, and in reality you are paying for name brand, but it is worth it. The connections that you make with people will lead you to success in your field.

What to do for fun

Check out the list of student clubs and organizations on the school website to get just the tip of the iceberg. There are concerts and lectures during the year and you can always find someplace to go on the weekends.

Food and Dining

The food is abundant and pretty good. There are many options on campus and you are sure to find a favorite place. There is also ice cream in every all-you-care-to-eat dining hall.

Dorm Life

Dorms are social and filled with a diverse group of students. Keep your door open when you are there and get to know the friendly faces of your RA and hall-mates.

Academic Rigor

Classes are challenging, but don't let that discourage you! There are many resources and help available. All you have to do is ask, so don't be afraid to.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved on campus. There is so much going on that it is hard not to! College is an opportunity to explore and build lasting relationships. Cornell is a place for that.

In three sentences

This is a great school with impressive resources and staff. The campus offers a diverse host of student activities, so that it is easy to call home. The people make the campus experience amazing, as we are all trying to get through the challenging courses and often gloomy weather together.

Timothy from Hampton, NJ

Ithaca is a fairly isolated area, so there isn't the best downtown to go and have fun. If you're an outdoors person, then there are a plethora of trails to go hiking on and many parks to have fun in.

Food and Dining

Cornell often boasts about how many options they have and how they're friendly to all cuisines and dietary restrictions - they are. Every dining hall has a healthy balance of healthy food and unhealthy and meets every dietary need and restriction you can think of.

Dorm Life

Cornell does do some things correct for first years: some dorms have predominantly single rooms. This gives everyone the space they need and yet everyone is still able to interact well with each other.

Academic Rigor

Cornell is among the top in difficulty. No matter what other websites say, Cornell definitely is one of the toughest universities just because everyone is competing with each other to try and be the top dog.

Tips for prospective students

Do not be fooled by Cornell's supposed greatness in specific fields. Take your money and mental health to a smaller, less competitive school. You will enjoy yourself so much more and most likely get the same experience there as at Cornell.

In three sentences

Cornell is a very diverse and large campus with one of the largest selections for majors and opportunities. This is also met with one of the fiercest, stressful, and competitive environments to study in. This institution also is one of the most expensive that I have seen as well.

Yujin from Chestnut Hill, MA

05/24/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

It gets a little bit creepy at night only because this campus is huge and there are areas where it's darker than the normal campus. However, you will find that so many people study till very late at night on campus, and there is the blue light system that you can use to make sure that you get home safe (the police will escort you to your dorm/ house/ apartment). Overall, it's a very safe campus.

Greek Life

Cornell has an amazing Greek life for those of you who are interested. There are so many fraternities (can't remember how many but there definitely are more than 40) and 12 sororities. Sororities tend to accept more people than fraternities given that there are only 12 of them on campus. They are predominant in a student's social life.

Clubs and Activities

There are countless clubs, and all of them are very much involved on campus in their own ways. There is a club fest at the beginning of every year, so I recommend you go check that out. It is a great opportunity to network with people who share similar interests. Make sure you don't sign up for too many, however; the amount of emails you get from those listservs is ridiculous.

Great for these types of students

Cornell is a huge school, so if you are someone who is easily intimidated by big groups of people or who needs a closer environment when pursuing a study, I say Cornell might be a difficult place to get used to at first. However, since it is a big diverse school, you will find your niche for sure, and you shouldn't worry about not fitting in at all.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

On Halloween, they put a pumpkin on top of the clock tower. Also, there is a list called 161 things to do at Cornell, and you should try to do a lot of it because 1) they are bizarre, 2) they still sound fun, and 3) why not.

Bang for the buck

Cornell is expensive, and you will spend a lot more money just by living in Ithaca because things tend to be monopolized around here. However, you are going to a big name school with a great reputation, so why not invest in you as a human capital?

What to do for fun

Ithaca Commons has a lot of great restaurants, so definitely go explore those. A lot of people join Greek organizations in spring of their freshman year; social life is largely dominated by Greek life, and I definitely recommend going through the formal recruitment because it is a lot of fun after all. Other than those, there are some bars in Collegetown that are worth checking out as well as hiking trails and parks that are nice to go to when it is warm out.

Food and Dining

Cornell has a lot of dining halls and cafes as well as restaurants. Each dining hall has different characteristics. In my opinion, Statler Hall (Hotel School) tends to have better dining options on campus with their salad being legendary.

Dorm Life

Some dorms are more recently built than others, and, therefore, they are cleaner and better-designed than others. Freshmen all live on North Campus, which creates an atmosphere where you can get to know each other very well as well as a sense of community. After the freshman year, you are on your own in finding housing. West Campus dorms are new and nice, but most people join sororities or fraternities, so their housings are handled by their Greek organizations (which is also a lot of fun).

Academic Rigor

Cornell makes its students work hard. Often times, course loads are heavy, and only those who try and put consistent effort into her work can get good grades. You get a grade that you deserve for the most time, but you definitely need to work extremely hard to be successful.

Tips for prospective students

I think being well-rounded extremely important; however, what is more important is being excellent at what you want to pursue and what you are passionate about. For example, if you are looking to apply to Cornell University of Hotel Administration, an ideal candidate will be someone who understands the trend in the hospitality industry and has a creative approach to the market -- the knowledge that you can only gain through past experiences.

In three sentences

Cornell offers you so many diverse areas of study and presents the academic environment with ample opportunities to gain hands-on experiences. Cornell is a big school for people with big dreams: all Cornellians come to this school with big goals and ambitions, and although everyone is very different from each other, he/ she strive to be stellar in his areas of study.

Shaniqua from Binghamton, NY

Hundreds of clubs and organizations!! It is easy to make your own......There is a club for EVERYONE.....For example there is a squirrel watching club

Great for these types of students

Great for everyone!!!!!!! any student, any study is the saying

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Cornell has a lot of beautiful Gorges all around campus. One tradition is Dragon Day. They architecture students build a dragon and then they burn it at the end of the yr but because Cornell is also big on environment, they just take it down instead of burning it

Bang for the buck

A lot of money but financial aid is great!!

What to do for fun

I like to party as much as I can. Having a social life is a must at Cornell because they academic work can drain you. I also like to go to concerts, performances and banquets that are on campus.

Food and Dining

The food is actually pretty good! There are a lot of dining halls,cafes and eateries on campus. One of Cornell's majors is Hotel Management where they manage a 4 star hotel on campus that serves great food as well

Dorm Life

My freshman year, I lived in a Townhouse. It was a mini apartment that had a kitchen, living room, dining room, BR, and only 2 bedrooms. It cost the same as a single bedroom in one of the other dorms. It was great. Compared to other schools dorms I believe we have it good. Cornell also has one of the biggest dorms in the ivy's called Clara Dickson, which calls for a great social life

Academic Rigor

Be prepared to get your first C!! Everyone that comes to this school were at the top of their class so it is very competitive! Very draining! But the degree will

Tips for prospective students

Step out of your comfort zone!! Cornell can open your eyes to a lot if you do. Ask for Help, ask for help, ask for help!!! Can't stress that enough

In three sentences

Cornell is a very tough school that requires a lot of motivation. It is huge! Cornell is fun and is what you make it

Brittney from Valley Stream, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Cornell is safer than other campuses I've visited.

Greek Life

eh, I know it exists; I have yet to really experience Greek Life though.

Clubs and Activities

There are over a thousand clubs/ groups for you to chose from. Don't be afraid to get involved in the community!

Great for these types of students

Cornell is great for hard working, down to Earth individuals.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The slope.... you have to experience it for yourself.

Bang for the buck

This really depends on whether or not you receive a lot of need-based financial aid. I personally think any money I spend on attending Cornell is worth it, but then again my financial aid package was great.

What to do for fun

Join a club, sorority/ frat, or group on campus. You'll have a lot more things to do. Also, going to NYC for a weekend is always an option if you don't have too many assignments to do.

Food and Dining

For me, food and dining was great when I visited, but I heard you can easily get sick of it. (Sidenote: Risley has the best breakfast food)

Dorm Life

Some dorms are nicer than others to be honest, but don't despair - it gets better.

Academic Rigor

This really depends on what classes you take and which one Cornell's colleges you chose to enroll in. If your professor keeps you engaged during class and you like attending it shouldn't be so bad

Tips for prospective students

Work hard and take your high school years seriously.

In three sentences

Cornell is an extremely challenging school. It's home to a lovely group of down to Earth and intellectual individuals. Overall, it's absolutely gorges.

Alyssa from Marcy, NY

Amazing dining halls at Cornell and restaurants in the area. Locally, make sure you check out Bandwagon Brew Pub and Just A Taste.

Dorm Life

The dorms are okay. Always loved living off campus.

Academic Rigor

Study hard, read the assigned reading BEFORE class (preferably not the day before the test). However, Olin Library Stacks are a great place to cram.

Tips for prospective students

Never walk home alone. It may seem safe, but bad people are everywhere, even at a pretty ivy league college.

In three sentences

An amazing place to be taught by well-known, intelligent professors. It is a large school with opportunity everywhere. Be sure to take advantage of the events, talks, classes, clubs, and extra-curriculars.

Julia from Niskayuna, NY

Absolutely the best decision I made at Cornell was to join Greek life. We have over 40 fraternities and 12 sororities. An incredible experience!

Great for these types of students

Outgoing, studious

Bang for the buck

I think while Cornell may have a high price tag, the investment that I am making for my future is worth all of the loans. Cornell gives you the resources and network to succeed in your post-undergraduate life and there is nothing more worthwhile to me than that.

What to do for fun

Campus activities, intramural sports, extracurricular clubs in every college and major, club sports, Division 1 varsity sports, fraternities, sororities, dancing, more restaurants per capita than New York City- so many fun restaurants to explore!

Food and Dining

Whether you're looking for sushi, stirfry, a burger, salad, sandwich, hot meal, cereal, bagels, - you'll find it in the Cornell Dining Halls. We have been ranked as having some of the best college campus food around the country and I can say that I ate in the dining halls for breakfast lunch and dinner my freshman year, thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn't gain the Freshman 15! Additionally, there are many other eateries on campus to go to if you are looking for something other than the dining halls!

Dorm Life

Every dorm at Cornell has a different personality and will allow you to transition to college seamlessly. I lived in Dickson (the largest dorm in the Ivy) in a single and it was one of the best experiences I have had thus far in college.

Academic Rigor

Cornell offers different undergraduate colleges within the University for each student's preference in education.

Tips for prospective students

If you are looking for a school that encompasses challenging academics, a supportive community, lifelong relationships, and fun all into one campus than Cornell really is the right school for you. You will not be simply a number in a large classroom nor an unrecognized face on campus, while Cornell is the largest Ivy League, they really make it so you do not realize how big the school truly is.

In three sentences

Cornell is an open-minded University that fosters learning with diversity through people, academics, and experiences. Time here at Cornell will make you a better person by learning through your classmates and creating relationships with your professors. Cornell challenges you to become the best you can in any study you pursue.

Abigail from Traverse City, MI

01/26/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

The natural beauty of Cornell's campus should be enjoyed: hiking, trail running, skiing galore! The Ithaca Commons hosts local events such as Apple Festival in the fall and Chili Festival in the winter. There isn't a whole lot of shopping available, but Ithaca is only a 4-5 hour bus ride from NYC.

Food and Dining

There are 2 full all-you-can-eat style dining halls on North Campus, where the freshman dorms are located, as well as a late-night student convenience store. The dining halls offer fresh, local produce and are very mindful of the environment in their composting and going trayless campaigns. Various cuisine types can be found: Asian food, salad and soup bar, sushi bar, and stir fry stations are available daily. Plus the staff are always friendly!

Dorm Life

Freshman year, the dorms are fantastic. All freshman are on North Campus together with a two gym facilities, two dining halls, two student services desk, and multiple bus stops mere steps away from your door. After freshman year, the dorm options are harder to come by as Cornell operates on a lottery system, so many students choose to live in apartments or houses with friends or live in their sorority or fraternity house after freshman year.

Academic Rigor

This is an Ivy League school, and the course work surely proves it. Expect to spend 8 hours a week reading and studying for your average 4-credit class. However, the academic rigor here shouldn't deter anyone from applying. Professors applaud passion and question-asking. The TAs here are fantastically helpful and most departments have a plethora of extra resources (tutoring, study groups, etc.) if you find you need more help.

Tips for prospective students

Study what you love! If your coursework is genuinely interesting, you'll be much more likely to apply yourself now that mom isn't around to make you do your homework. Cornell has seven undergraduate colleges, each with a specific area of study. Ezra Cornell wanted this school to be an institution where anyone could find instruction in any study, and this is indeed the place to cross academic, cultural, and institutional boundaries. Be willing to be flexible!

In three sentences

Cornell's campus is second to none. The natural beauty, gorges, waterfalls, mountains, are breathtaking at every time of year. Study in comfortable, modern tech buildings or cozy, gothic art buildings.

Anonymous

01/08/2013

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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In three sentences

I went to the summer school program for hospitality management, and it was amazing! I've been to so many summer programs before but this one was the most rigorous and meaningful time of my life! Now Cornell is my dream school, and I'm hoping my effort would be worth it! I'm applying next year :)

Karen from New York, NY

Hockey is big at Cornell, with the most popular game of the season being the Cornell-Harvard game (watch out for people trying to throw fish on the ice).

What to do for fun

There is so much to do at Cornell. Clubs, sports (intramural co-ed water polo team, anyone?), and hanging out will friends will fill most of your need for fun. If you want to do something away from campus, the city bus can get you close to anything you could think of doing.

Food and Dining

The food at Cornell is amazing. There are times that you will long for horribly unhealthy fast-food as it requires leaving campus to find, but the options on campus are healthy, delicious, and there is something for everyone.

Dorm Life

Which dorm you are assigned to really determines what the environment is like. Some dorms are noisy and others are quiet. Where ever you end up, you will have the chance to make life-long friends.

Academic Rigor

Courses at Cornell are hard, but what professor you get really determines how well you will do. Some professors curve the class to a B-, while others will teach you more than you ever thought you would know and your grades will reflect that.

Tips for prospective students

The best tip I was ever given at Cornell was to plan out your time. If you make a schedule and stick to it your life will be so much easier.

In three sentences

Cornell's campus is gorgeous. Here you will work harder than you have ever had before; but if you can manage your time, you will also be able to play harder. It is the type of place that once you've gone there you will forever be a part of the Big Red Family.

Kathleen from Middletown, NJ

11/27/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

7 out of 7 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

There are always Cornell Police everywhere, and I generally feel pretty safe on campus. We have had several attacks this semester, but the problem is that students keep going around the gorges and abandoned areas after dark, which leads to problems. The lesson here is that Cornell is a campus built around nature, and as a student here you need to understand that well-lit places are safe and dark bridges are not.

Greek Life

Unfortunately, I can't give much about Greek Life as I am not a part of it. However, I can say it is very alive here and many about 30% of people I meet are part of a Greek organization. However, there have been several scandals and issues here with Greek groups and racism, so they aren't holding the same prestige as they used to right now.

Clubs and Activities

The clubs here are very diverse and, overall, very welcoming. There are academic clubs, sports groups, arts and music ensembles, people just like certain tv shows like Doctor Who, etc. If you have an interest, you will most likely find a ton of other people sitting a room somewhere talking about it. Plus, it's very easy to start a club here yourself, which means you can quickly bring people together and start sharing stories.

Great for these types of students

Cornell is great for students who love to work hard but still want a social life. Classes take a great deal of time if you want to do well, so you need to be dedicated to fulfilling that commitment. If you don't want to work, you shouldn't come here. However, there are hundreds of clubs and events going on all over campus any hour of the day, so whenever you do have a free moment, there is 100% of a chance that you can have some fun.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Cornell is full of secret places to study or just unexpected places that have a great view. On North Campus, for example, by Bebe Lake there is a small little shack for the Outdoor Club that is almost always abandoned. If you get there early, you can situate yourself there and study next to the lake, watching the birds and enjoying the fresh air. There are also plenty of secret rooms in the libraries, especially Uris, but I would ruin the fun for you if I told you how to find them.

Bang for the buck

Cornell is expensive. There's no doubt about that. However, although tuition is exorbitant, as is housing and meal plans, in the end, they really do seem worth it. Out of the eighteen classes I've taken so far, only two disappointed me, and as I mentioned above, the food is great. Housing, too, is perfect once you figure out your preference. Books are very expensive, but many professors give you electronic copies for free or copy the books themselves and make .pdfs to make things easier. I think, in the end, the high cost is worth it.

What to do for fun

Ithaca's a small town, but there still are a few things to do. The farmer's market in town is great and has a ton of wonderful food and products to buy. There's also the Apple Festival in the fall. On campus, there are always dances, presentations, speeches, and club activities going on, so as long as you pay attention to your e-mail, you will find something to do.

Food and Dining

The food here is amazing. Honestly, simple as that. There are dining halls everywhere (2 on North Campus, 1 on Central, and over 5 on West), as well as plenty of cafes every few buildings to make sure food is always in reach. Beyond this, the food offered is delicious and always varied at certain places. For example, in the dining halls on North, there will always be grilled chicken and hamburgers, salad, and pasta. However, each day there will be a separate station with something unique, such as sushi, different meat or chicken dishes, vegetables of the day, various side dishes, etc. You never get tired of the food, and 99.99% of the time it's wonderful.

Dorm Life

This can be a hit or miss based on where you stay. My first year I stayed in Jameson on North Campus. The room was spacious and comfortable, and there was a reasonable kitchen and common room for my floor. However, there was also too much drinking and smoking for someone of my sensibilities, which made the dorm awkward. I often found myself avoiding it. The floor was also loud and quiet hours were not often enforced. This year I'm living at the Latino Living Center on campus which has none of the above problems and has the added bonus of being closer to campus. Overall, then, I would say dorm life is fine as long as you figure out what type of dorm you want to be in. If you want the stereotypical college experience, go to a general dorm and Cornell will provide that. If you want a closer knit family and tamer environment, shoot for a program house.

Academic Rigor

I've heard a saying around here that Cornell is the easiest Ivy to get into but the hardest to stay in. I think that's a fair estimate to say. Most classes here will expect the highest from you and give you a fair share of work to get through. This work is not always in the same vein, as you will most likely have mixes of essays and tests. Participation and attendance are often noted and deal breakers for many students. You will be expected to provide intelligent and boundary-pushing insight, not simply to parrot back memorized information.

Tips for prospective students

From what I've seen, prospective students should make sure this is the environment they are looking for before they commit. Do not get entranced by the big name and simply apply, because I've had many friends here who left after a semester or two because they did not think their choice through. Make sure you want to be on top of an ice-cold mountain in the middle of nowhere, walking through misty rain four days a week and laboring under mounds of difficult, but fulfilling, work. I would definitely encourage visiting, especially to make sure that your major gets just due here. For example, although Cornell has a film department, it only offers very specific types of classes and might not be ideal for everyone interested in that field.

In three sentences

Cornell is a place where, if you are willing to work hard and explore your own capabilities, you will have a fantastic four years. The classes, overall, are diverse and the professors knowledgeable, but it is up to each student to take advantage of these opportunities. In the same vein, the campus is gorgeous and has many hidden mysterious (such as great places to eat or private study coves) that only careful students will find.

Dancers, singers (tons of a capella groups), athletes (club and varsity sports, not many intramurals)

Great for these types of students

Self-motivated, efficient workers

Bang for the buck

VERY expensive, and Cornell tries to suck money out of you at every opportunity, but the reputation and networking is worth the price

What to do for fun

Hang out in Collegetown, go to dance/theater/choir performances, see movies at Cornell Cinema (they play movies every night), and there is a pretty prominent Greek life, so even if you're not interested in going Greek there are always frat parties to go to on weekends.

Food and Dining

Fantastic! Cornell is consistently rated in the top five for university dining hall food. It's always good, even if you're just getting a burger or pizza. Watch out for the BBQ tofu though...

Dorm Life

Fantastic! I lived in the newest dorm on campus, and it was absolutely beautiful with big rooms, hallways and lounges, brand new TVs and furniture, and air conditioning! Some of the older dorms are not nearly as nice, but they are still fun to live in I've heard.

Academic Rigor

Classes are tough, but I found them very manageable if you are willing to put in the time and effort. Because it's a really big undergrad population (about 14,000) a lot of classes are taught by TAs, especially 1000 and 2000 level courses, so a lot of the time the rigor/enjoyability of classes depends on the competence of your TA.

Tips for prospective students

Visit at least once, more times if possible. Also, when applying, keep in mind that Cornell values diversity--not just in terms of ethnicity but in all other aspects of your personality. Try to get an alum or current student's insight before you apply.

In three sentences

Cornell has the most beautiful campus I've ever seen, in pictures or in person. Freshmen are treated extremely well; upperclassmen are helpful and the professors and TAs I've had have been very understanding and helpful. Plus Cornell has a great reputation--this place will open tons of doors for you in terms of professional/grad school, jobs, and internships.

Blake from Newbury Park, CA

There are always pick up basketball, soccer, and ultimate going on also a myriad of clubs for every activity you can think of.

Food and Dining

Food and selection at Cornell is phenomenal especially West Campus, can not complain.

Dorm Life

I got one of the better dorms on North, but some are not so lucky, overall still pretty good.

Academic Rigor

As a pre-med, the classes are definitely competitive and hard but not cut throat.

Tips for prospective students

Of course have the GPA and test scores, but be sure to communicate who you are and never sacrifice who you are or what you want to do to craft the perfect resume.

In three sentences

Overall, it is a very great school with a wealth of opportunities. don't expect your hand to be held, have to be proactive and big intro classes suck, but I absolutely love it here so many cool opportunities.

Cornell student

Visit and enjoy the local scenarios. Take a trip to the Cayuga lake and t he local farms.

Food and Dining

Cornel offers many different selections of foods from healthy food to more rich food. There is a place for anyone.

Dorm Life

Freshman year dorms definitely provide a great opportunity for students to meet lots of peers and befriend one another.

Academic Rigor

Some courses are definitely challenging and require good study habits to keep up with the materials. But once the student was able to keep up with everything even in the face of adversity, he will find that everything is worth it.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to experience lots of walking around the campus, especially during the beginning of the fall semester. Always bring rain gear to be prepared for the rain.

In three sentences

Cornell is a beautiful campus that allows students to fully explore his or her potential while taking some time to experience what mother nature has to offer. The local people are very nice and will always be very eager to help you. While the academic rigor of the school can be especially rolling during the winter months, the student who was able to triumph over those challenges will come out confident, independent, and strong.

Anonymous Freshman

07/26/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Cornell is a very safe university. It isn't located in a major city, so there isn't a steady flow of traffic through the campus, unlike many other schools in America. The campus offers the Blue Light System, which contains a phone that will immediately contact campus security or the police, should you feel uncomfortable or simply want an escort back to your dorm.

Greek Life

Greek Life is very prevalent at Cornell. However, involvement is not necessary to have a successful and fun undergraduate experience. Should you choose to participate, however, you will become very close with your sorority/fraternity and create bonds that will last you a lifetime.

Clubs and Activities

Being the huge school that it is, Cornell is home to hundreds of clubs and therefore provides students with activities of great range and variety. Whatever it is that the students are interested in, they are bound to find a club with others of the same interest, or can even start their own!

Great for these types of students

Because Cornell is so diverse in its student population, any student would feel at home.

Bang for the buck

Cornell offers great financial aid, and if you are able to afford it, it will be worth your every penny. No matter how much you are paying to attend, the university will meet your academic needs and will offer the student with great opportunities and a bright future.

Food and Dining

Cornell is ranked by Princeton Review as the 5th best in dining experiences in the nation. Needless to say, the food is great. There are multiple dining halls that students can go to with their meal plans, and a great diversity to what students can eat.

Dorm Life

Cornell has several different residence halls for freshman, who are located on North Campus, away from the upperclassmen. This provides for a smaller and more intimate environment for the new students to get to know each other. The residence halls can be viewed online at the Cornell Housing website. There are also alternatives to the classic dorm life, where students can live in a building with people of the same diversity or interests (ie. Akwe-gon or JAM).

Academic Rigor

Although there are majors that have less requirements than others, Cornell University will still challenge its students to get the most out of them. However, if you properly manage your time and work hard, you will be successful.

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of Cornell's college system to plan specifically what it is you want to do, and if the several majors offered are right for you.

In three sentences

Upon arriving at the college, you will be absolutely captivated by the beautiful structures and the landscaping of this university. However, looking past this, the school offers insightful ways for leading students to their future and preparing them incredibly. With its large population comes much diversity, as well as great opportunities for close discussions and group work to further enhance your undergraduate experience.

Paige from Whitney Point, NY

07/20/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is really safe overall. There are a good number of forcible touchings down by college town at night, but these things occur to drunk people at like 2 am, so if you're smart about it, you're safe. They have a blue light system installed around campus. During finals and study week, they have a special late night shuttle for people who don't want to walk back to the dorms in the dark.

Greek Life

There are a lot of sororities and frats, but I don't know much about them. You can't rush them until spring semester though; they don't allow freshman to rush during the fall.

Clubs and Activities

There are way too many clubs and activities to mention. There is seriously something for everyone; dance, singing, squirrels, pokemon, cards, environmental science, entomology... Everything you can imagine.

Great for these types of students

Hard workers. You need to be pretty self-disciplined and hard working to go here. You can't be one to let one bad grade make you give up.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Dragon Day; the day before spring break, there is a huge party around the dragon the architects spent the year building. Slope Day; on the last day of classes in spring, there is a massive party on the slope. Lots of people, food, and a concert. Pre-finals screaming; at midnight on the night before finals start, everybody screams out their windows at the same time. It's eerie and cool at the same time.

Bang for the buck

It's expensive, but they do do a lot for students. They put on lots of fun activities for us throughout the year and give out a lot of 'free' stuff (t-shirts, bags....) Plus, you get the opportunity to learn from top professors and have the chance to work on cutting edge research with them.

What to do for fun

Downtown Ithaca is just a walk or bus ride away, and is full of shops, a movie theater and eateries. There are parks and waterfalls all around Ithaca; they're beautiful. The mall is only a short bus ride away. There are always activities happening on campus and tons of clubs to join.

Food and Dining

There are a ton of places to eat on campus! Some of them use your meal plan, and others take Big Red Bucks. Each dining hall has the basics, like salad and burgers, but they do a really good job at trying to make a wide selection of food available. Plus, it's pretty good quality; not like cafeteria food!

Dorm Life

People are loud and drunk all the time. Even in the freshman dorms. The dorms themselves are quite nice; they have brand new ones and cool old ones and both types have their perks.

Academic Rigor

It's a big change from high school; don't expect A's in everything. You're responsible for a ton of reading and you have to make sure you take the time to study (which is sometimes hard to do with all your new freedom). Your teachers obviously expect a lot out of you, but this means you'll learn a ton.

Tips for prospective students

Bring an umbrella and rain boots. You WILL need them. And if you don't like winter, don't come. It's New York. It snows here. Invest in a good bag; you'll need one when you're running across campus! Don't bother bringing a car; the bus system is great and will take you anywhere you need to go (plus, freshman ride for free).

In three sentences

The campus is beautiful, but huge; you're going to have to really hustle between classes if you have to walk from one part to the other. The teachers are great; they're enthusiastic about what they do and at the top of their fields.

Lisa from Commack, NY

07/15/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

14 out of 14 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

There is a constant alert system on campus that informs students of perpetrators and there is a Blue Light System that calls the campus police immediately to come pick you up if you feel uneasy to walk back to your dorm alone.

Greek Life

Many fraternities and sororities on campus that create familial environments.

Clubs and Activities

College Fest is an annual event that displays all of the clubs that are on campus. Every club is welcoming and there is a club for everyone on campus, either for professional reasons or for hobbies.

Great for these types of students

Great for all students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Collegetown is a great place to go an relax and to find lots of restaurants that differ to have a meal from different countries every night. There are also great clubs and bars to have a good time.

Bang for the buck

Cornell offers great financial aid and the classes offered are worth tuition.

What to do for fun

There are may clubs to find on campus that you are guaranteed to find at least one that catches your eye.

Food and Dining

Wide array of foods and offers many dietary options.

Dorm Life

The dorm life is livable however the buildings range in quality. So when you don't get a choice as to which building you want, it is unfair to those that don't get a study lounge or pool table.

Academic Rigor

Though it is considered one of the easier Ivys to get into, it is definitely the hardest to attain high grades. Not only is the content difficult and voluminous, the grades are curved down, making it harder to attain a high GPA.

Tips for prospective students

Don't go into the school with one set idea in mind as to what you want to study. So many students change their minds within the first year as to what they want to do.

In three sentences

Cornell University is an unparalleled college, filled with opportunities. Currently, I am in the Arts and Sciences College and though I wish to aspire to be a doctor, I am given the chance to study Latin and Ancient Civilization as a minor and to explore studies that interest me although it's not within my Pre-Med curriculum. Not only is the Arts and Sciences College full of a wide array of studies, the other colleges allow students to range in future careers from hotel administration to agricultural development.

Elizabeth from MN

07/03/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

For the most part, campus is very safe. As long as you walk in pairs late at night, you should be just fine. I have personally never felt threatened or worried walking home from the library late at night. There are only a few instances of petty crime.

Greek Life

Greek life is HUGE. Even if you're not in a fraternity/sorority, their presence can be felt. Nevertheless, there are plenty of people who did not go Greek that have great social lives. You certainly don't need to go Greek to be involved (I didn't).

Clubs and Activities

There are hundreds and hundreds of club, organizations, sports, ensembles, and activities. It's very easy to get involved and meet people with similar interests. There are plenty of professional clubs and organizations, as well as less serious ones. Cornell is known for its lacrosse, crew, hockey, and (occasionally) basketball teams. The Glee Club is well-known, too.

Great for these types of students

To succeed at Cornell, you have to be self-motivated. You have to be willing to go the extra mile to set yourself apart from the pack; everyone at Cornell is naturally bright. Some students spend their days cooped up in the library or their room, but the most successful students get involved, both on campus and in the community.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Dragon Day is a competition between the architecture students and the engineering students (the architects always win). The architects build a dragon and the engineers build a phoenix. There's a parade across campus that attracts people from Ithaca as well. Slope Day is held on the last day of classes. It's a massive, campus-wide celebration that features a concert on one of the big hills (hence slope). This past year, Taio Cruz and Neon Trees performed. It's a crazy, awesome day.

Bang for the buck

Tuition is steep, especially if you don't qualify for financial aid. (By the way, Cornell has fantastic financial aid). That being said, Cornell has an extensive- and active- alumni network. Not only that, a Cornell degree looks good; it's an Ivy League school.

What to do for fun

There's always something to do on the weekend. You can hang out with friends in your dorm or apartment or rage at a bar or fraternity party. There's a little something for everyone. You don't need to drink to have a social life, but alcohol is quite prevalent. Drugs are popular in certain groups, but if you're not interested in that, you won't encounter it. Explore Ithaca! There are tons of trails and waterfalls to see when it's warm outside, and the town itself is fun to explore when you have the time. Just be warned, the mall is awful.

Food and Dining

The food on campus is amazing; it's been voted some of the best in the country. The best all-you-can-eat dining halls are on West Campus. There's a wide variety of food on campus to choose from. Off-campus food is great as well. Collegetown has many good restaurants, and Ithaca is full of high-quality cuisine. Collegetown Bagels is very popular. There's a great (and affordable) Mexican restaurant called Viva Taqueria in the Commons. Vegetarians like myself will have no time staying well-fed with or without a meal plan.

Dorm Life

The quality of freshmen dorms varies. I was in what is considered one of the worst dorms (the Low Rises), but I had a great time and made tons of great friends on my floor. Housing is rather pricy, and laundry is not free. Upperclassen housing is very nice, but also varies. Most upperclassmen live off-campus in Collegetown.

Academic Rigor

If you don't work hard, you're not going to do well. Most of your intro classes will be based on a curve, so you have to push yourself to be above the median. Everyone is naturally smart, so don't expect to skate by like you might have in high school. In my opinion, the academic rigor is what makes Cornell so great. You're surrounded by brilliant people-students and professors- that will inspire you and motivate you.

Tips for prospective students

If you're looking for a school that will be academically challenging while still being able to have a good time, Cornell is the place to be. Cornellians work very hard, but play just as hard on the weekends. If you want the quintessential college experience, you can find it here. You can take classes across every academic discipline and make friends from a vast variety of backgrounds.

In three sentences

My favorite thing about Cornell is the people; you'll meet passionate students and professors in your discipline as well as people with very different backgrounds and interests. Cornell will challenge you, no doubt, but you'll have a lot of fun, too. If you're willing to work hard and get involved, you'll enjoy your time here.

Yun from Pittsburgh, PA

It's a very safe campus. There are occasionally the problems you find everywhere on college campuses, such as drunk guys harassing you, but those are fairly rare.

Greek Life

The Greek life is very large on campus. There are lots of frat parties and sorority events, but it's definitely not necessary to be into the greek life to have an awesome social life.

Clubs and Activities

There are so many activities, from cultural to musical to debate (special shout out from a debater). It's fairly easy to start a new group and people are always welcoming new members.

Great for these types of students

Those who don't mind a smaller town. There's such a large variation in the students here that there's not really a specific type.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are many, many of these. Dragon Day. Slope Day. Refer to the list of 161 Things to Do at Cornell for further details.

Bang for the buck

It's an expensive college, but college is expensive everywhere. It's annoying to have to pay for laundry and the gym, but you can petition to take as many classes as you want. There are ways to get around the annoying little fees for living there. Tuition is high, but not as high as some other colleges.

What to do for fun

There's plenty to do in Ithaca, although sometime shopping can be a bit frustrating. There is an Ithaca Mall, with a theater, that can get a bit old very soon. It's rather small but has the essentials. There is more shopping in Downtown Ithaca, if you're willing to make the trek or take the bus. The gorges and surrounding natural areas are amazing, and running and hiking through these places can be incredible. The Cornell Plantations are also worth noting. Syracuse, a much larger city with a huge mall, is about an hour away so there is that option.

Food and Dining

The food is quite impressive at Cornell. There is a wide variety of options, from vegetarian to Chinese. With several all-you-can-eat dining halls as well as an assortment of a la carte places, pretty much everyone will find something they like. The Ithaca area also has many restaurants, including ethnic ones. On campus places that are especially good are Goldie's in the Physical Sciences Building and The Terrace in the Statler Hotel.

Dorm Life

The dorms vary. The newer freshmen dorms, such as Mews and Court-Kay-Bauer, as well as the new West Campus dorms are very comfortable, with climate control and new infrastructure. The older dorms...not so much, although they are certainly inhabitable. It really depends on your luck. There isn't enough housing for upperclassmen though, which is a bummer.

Academic Rigor

Cornell is a tough school. There's no way around it. There isn't very much grade inflation, especially if you're on a science track. Intro classes are usually curved to C+, B-, or B, so it won't be a piece of cake to get those A's. On the other hand, you do learn a lot in those classes and professors are good, for the most part.

Tips for prospective students

Prospective students may be intimidated by the large campus and especially the separate dorms for freshmen, but I've found that this allows you to become integrated into college life without the stress of upperclassmen, at least at first. Don't be afraid to try everything on campus. There are so many groups, classes, and events that there's something for everyone. Intro classes can be large, but if you take the time to go to office hours and talk with your TA, you'll get all the personal attention you could want.

In three sentences

Cornell is an amazing place with amazing opportunities, if you're willing to put yourself out there and take charge. It's a large school, certainly larger than its Ivy League peers, which can make it intimidating. At the same time, this facet gives students so many more opportunities to explore different fields and meet different people.

Jeffrey from Ithaca, NY

I always feel safe on campus even a night. Ithaca is a safe town and there are many phones on campus that are easily found that are tied directly to cornell police if help is needed.

Greek Life

Greek system is strong and there are many open parties hosted by them.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs for people to join and it is fairly easy to form a new club if the one you are looking for cannot be found.

Bang for the buck

I think Cornell is absolutely worth it because I think that in terms of getting an education there is no place that could be better and the same goes for networking opportunities the university provides in terms of finding what you want to do after school.

What to do for fun

There is a lot of natural beauty in the Ithaca area with many gorges and waterfalls nearby to explore and many place to go hiking if you want. There are many places on campus where you can get together with a bunch of friends and play some games, toss around a frisbee or something. There are also always party's and activities that are fun to go to on weekends.

Food and Dining

The quality of the food in the dining halls if good especially for dining hall food but the food in the a la carte eating facilities are excellent. Cornell dining also provides money in the meal plans for use at a la carte eating facilities.

Dorm Life

Some of the dorms are not great but most are. The dorms provide a nice balance between social life and the ability to study. All freshmen live in dorms in the same area which is a good way to meet other people and make new friends.

Academic Rigor

The academic rigor is very high but the professors want you to succeed and will help you if you meet with them and tell them you need help.

Tips for prospective students

Do not underestimate the workload and make sure to make time to balance studying and social life. Take advantage of programs designed to help students learn and succeed. Do not be too proud to ask for help if you need it there are programs to help you if you need it.

In three sentences

Cornell is an excellent school with great social life and while the workload is high I feel that you learn a lot. Generally the professors know what they are talking about and are usually receptive to students. There are many activities for students and many organizations and programs designed to help students succeed.

Leo from Irvine, CA

05/12/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Bang for the buck

While the tuition is very high, the University has stated its intent on making sure that those in difficult financial situation get the opportunity to come, so financial aid is certainly stronger than the average school.

What to do for fun

Gorge jumping, that is, jumping and swimming in the river that cuts through campus. Many great food places. If you are a nature person, the surrounding area is beautiful wilderness. Also, NYC is only a couple hours ride away.

Food and Dining

The dining halls are healthy and tasty, but more importantly, there are many many local restaurants known for very good variety and quality.

Dorm Life

From what I hear and see, the dorms are very comfortable and modern. The Greek life there is strong, and there is an abundant number of sororities and fraternities.

Academic Rigor

The work load is known to be fairly difficult, but at the same time, very doable. If high school was not particularly difficult (not necessarily a lot of work) then you should do very well at Cornell.

Tips for prospective students

Cornell wants to admit interesting people: show how you are an interesting person!

In three sentences

The unique and intelligent student body is inspiring and fun to be part of. Don't be worried about the cold, it actually makes those cold snowy nights very cozy and comfortable. The reputation and connections (particularly strong with the Alumni network) made there will be very useful in getting a job out of college.

Stephanie from Longwood, FL

campus is pretty safe and if you don't feel comfortable walking to your dorm late at night, you can call campus police and they will escort you.

Greek Life

awesome greek life!

Clubs and Activities

there are plenty of clubs and activities for all type of students. great greek life.

Great for these types of students

if you are serious about an ivy league education and you want to study in a college with no distractions, this is the school for you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

once a year the administration chooses one day off and students and professors party at a huge concert on campus. the day is random and kept secret until you arrive to that morning class and the professor says no class today

Bang for the buck

a cornell education is well worth it. but get ready to work insanely hard. transportation costs are one of the surprises my parents got. the campus is gorgeous. they say to book the chapel for your wedding freshman year. there is a 4 year wait list.

What to do for fun

snow tubing, concerts, great college town

Food and Dining

food is amazing.

Dorm Life

once you become a sophmore the housing lottery is a nightmare. the pressure to move off campus is huge. mainly because you might get stuck in a themed house far far away from your classes. the housing office does not understand that the pressure comes from an archaic housing system and not from the students wanting to move off campus. the housing office offers seminars on how to live off campus but it does not intercede or make sure the leases have a standard of protection for its students. the majority of this leases are enough to make you rethink going to cornell. my parents were very upset about not having adequate housing for jr and sr. year.

Academic Rigor

cornell is very hard. you need to make sure the professors know you. the classes are large. some lectures as much as 400 students. stay close to your academic advisor. learn to work in study groups.

Tips for prospective students

join a sorority or frat in freshman year. it will help you have a big brother or sister to get you started in the fast track fast and you will not feel lonely when they drop you off. sign up for tutoring as soon as you get in, even if you don't need it. the good ones go fast.

In three sentences

i love my school. it has lots of opportunities for research. i hate that it does not provide adequate upperclassmen housing and we have to move into apartments signing a lease a year ahead of schedule. the lottery for upperclassmen housing stinks and it only provides adequate housing for a few. my parents were not happy with that surprise.

Ryan from Brentwood, CA

i have not heard about any dangers since i have been here. the campus feels so safe, even at night when coming home from somewhere across campus.

Clubs and Activities

clubs are a major part of cornell, they help form so many different communities.

What to do for fun

there are so many trails to explore, various events, like this year we had b.o.b perform at homecoming. also a capella is big here, and they have great concerts.

Food and Dining

all dining hall food gets repetitive, yet cornell is very good about varying their food around campus.

Dorm Life

everyone in the dorms are nice, the building i live in is amazing and people get to know each other very well. the resident advisors are very helpful as well.

Academic Rigor

the classes are extremely challenging depending on the school and major but it is worth it because the knowledge sticks.

Tips for prospective students

make sure you study alot when told to, do not underestimate the rigor of the classes you take.

In three sentences

cornell is an amazing school when it comes to the atmosphere, which is extremely welcoming. the weather may be cold and the classes challenging, but the experience will put one ahead of the game. cornell has a stressful aura yet everyone here works together to make great experiences.

Tara from Shippenville, PA

artsy, confident, ready to accept that they won't be the best in the class

Tips for prospective students

Visit us before you decide!

Bang for the buck

Tuition is expensive, there's no getting around that.

Am enjoying being here

I couldn't imagine a better setting for an education. It's beautiful, the buildings are varied in architecture and are all quite unique, my dorm is amazing, my friends are amazing, and I love my classes and major!

Leah from Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Great for students who are serious about academics, but who also are social.

Tips for prospective students

Look into all of the colleges and programs that Cornell offers.

Bang for the buck

Everything has a price tag, but most things are worth the price. Must pay for bus pass, gym pass, and concerts (I know that at some other schools these things are free).

Am enjoying being here

Not only do I learn so much, but I have made so many close friends and formed so many relationships with people.

Am learning a lot

I am being challenged to work hard and learn the material presented in lecture. Learning is very rewarding! Also, my classes are diverse, and I enjoy taking part in discussions with people who have different values and opinions than myself.

Nicolas from Miami, FL

10/12/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

18 out of 18 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Cornell is a very social environment. We have fraternities for people who wish to get involved with Greek life as well as over 800 student organizations for those looking for something new. If you enjoy socializing, this is the place for you! Cornell is also one of the top research universities in the world. If you want to get some undergraduate research on your resume, then Cornell would make it easier to do so! Plus, you'd be working with experts in their respective fields. Personally, I think Cornell is a school for everyone. If you're not a big party person, you'll still feel right at home in one of the many gorgeous libraries (like the A.D. White library, seriously, Google it because it's beautiful). Social butterflies would definitely fit in perfectly here. I believe Cornell is amazing for virtually anyone.

Tips for prospective students

Include very Cornell-specific things in your essay. When the admissions officers read your essays, they want to know that you've done your research and Cornell has opportunities that you could not get anywhere else. The essay is extremely important! I didn't have a perfect GPA or test scores but I was accepted because I wrote a great essay. Also, don't discourage yourself! Cornell may be an Ivy League school, but everyone has a chance of getting in. Once you do get here, here are some helpful tips: 1. Learn the bus schedules! You're going to want to take the bus once it starts snowing. 2. Bring lots of warm clothing. Seriously. 3. You probably don't need an unlimited meal plan so don't splurge on it because it is more expensive!

Bang for the buck

Cornell offers a lot of resources that many schools don't have. There are extensive research opportunities for both science majors and those in the humanities. The dining halls are FANTASTIC because they are all-you-care-to-eat and they're filled with delicious food. Tuition is a bit steep, but Cornell's financial aid is very good so people of all incomes can afford to come here! The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because they do tend to nickel and dime you (you have to pay for laundry! ridiculous, I know).

Am enjoying being here

The campus is beyond beautiful. There are nature trails aplenty to walk on if you're feeling the stress of school. There's a lake called Beebe Lake right in the center of campus with a beautiful, quiet trail around it. I've found that taking a walk around the lake after a stressful day of school makes me feel much better. Besides nature, the school is very easy to acclimate too. There are over 800 clubs so finding a niche for yourself is much easier than at a smaller liberal arts school. Cornell has a very accepting environment and people from all backgrounds are welcome here. I have never felt more at home at a school!

Am learning a lot

There are hundreds of diverse classes for you to take. Since I'm in the College of Arts & Sciences, I have a lot of academic freedom in putting together a schedule. You can take run-of-the-mill classes like Calculus and Biology, but there are also lots of strange and exciting classes like Dinosaurs! and Alien Empire: Bizarre Biology of Bugs. The wide array of classes available mean you get to pick classes that you enjoy while at the same time filling degree requirements. Because you're taking classes you enjoy, you're much more motivated to learn!

Karryssa from El Segundo, CA

If you consider yourself to be one or more of the following, become a Cornelian: intelligent, self-motivating, outdoorsy, social, ambitious, food lover, and open-minded.

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of everything Cornell has to offer while you are here. Join a club, volunteer, take a random class, get to know a professor, or explore the outdoors; college is a time to explore who you are. Study hard, but play hard too.

Bang for the buck

With the Ivy League title and private university standing, Cornell is not cheap. However, the financial aid packages will help cover the costs. You may also be eligible for additional aid through the Commitment based on leadership, volunteerism/service, and research. Work study is also an option and there are job postings available if you are looking for extra cash. The experiences and knowledge you gain as a Cornelian are well worth any money spent. You will have access to an extensive network of alumni and you may get your foot in many doors for future jobs, recommendations, and admission into graduate schools. (Especially for prospective vet students since the vet school is literally down the street).

Am enjoying being here

Even coming from out of state, the university will prove to be your second home. Keep in mind, the university is 4 hours from NYC, so you won't be seeing the stature of liberty outside of your window. People in and around the university are extremely friendly. Besides academics, there are numerous clubs, organizations, fraternities/sororities, employment opportunities, and outdoor adventures to experience. While in Ithaca, you really do experience the four seasons; prepare yourself for cold, snowy, windy winters with lots of clothing layers. Once you brave the storm, you appreciate the sunshine and gorgeous landscape that is Ithaca.

Am learning a lot

Cornell's motto isn't just an empty concoction of words; the expression, any person, any study holds true with schools from Arts & Sciences to Hotel Administration. There is an endless amount of opportunities for anyone and everyone, and if you can't decide on one, you should double major! ;) The course catalogue includes core classes for a foundation, but also classes on molds, beekeeping, wines, fairy tales, surfing, and so much more!

Courtney from Mesa, AZ

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Great for these types of students

Hard Workers Well-Rounded Students Students who are independently motivated

Tips for prospective students

Definitely do your best throughout high school and work your hardest, but don't overdo it either. I know that I always stressed myself out, and many times it was completely unnecessary. Just focus on having a great, well-rounded experience.

Bang for the buck

I have received a fantastic financial aid package from Cornell, though I wish that they would not have such high expectations for summer earnings. I did manage to get a part-time job this summer, but even if I saved every penny, I would not have nearly enough money for their suggested amount.

Will enjoy being here

After corresponding with a friend of mine who went to Cornell last year, I know that I will have a great time. Everything from the food to the clubs to the orientation activities seem amazing, and I am ready for the challenge of college courses.

Will learn a lot

I am incredibly excited to be going to such a prestigious university, and I am beyond certain that I will get a fantastic education. It has one of the best engineering schools in the country and I cannot wait to begin learning.

Olivia from Dryden, NY

If you're driven and hard-working, Cornell really isn't as hard as it's reputation claims. The workload is monstrous, yes, but everybody seems to be handling it.

Tips for prospective students

Write a killer essay. My SATs and grades were okay, but I feel like my essay really secured my spot here. Also, even if you know what you want to do, I suggest you apply undecided. I was pretty sure I'd major in English, but spending my first year undeclared gave me quite a bit of freedom to explore.

Bang for the buck

Cornell is overpriced and its financial aid system can be frustrating, but Cornell works to meet every student's financial need. Right now, they kind of messed that up for me, and this year's financial aid seems completely unorganized, but hopefully it will work out. I guess I'd still say you get the bang for your buck. You can't beat Ivy League and the classes and professors are usually pretty great.

Am enjoying being here

I get stressed at times, especially because Cornell is set up in a way where you never really get a break. Instead of a week designated for midterms, Cornell has prelims, or big exams which happen throughout the semester. When they stack up, I find myself buried in work. There is always so much to do to get unstressed, though, even considering that Ithaca is in the middle of nowhere. The amount of clubs one can get involved in and all of the people one has the opportunity to meet helps, too.

Am learning a lot

I absolutely love the time I've spent at Cornell so far. My first year was crazy, exciting, and life-changing. My classes have pushed me to grow and the people I'm meeting, from all different backgrounds, teach me more every day. I love talking to people who come from a completely different life than I've lived and I love my classes which have me thinking about issues I've never had to worry about.

Learn how to prioritize and know that high school studying is different from college studying. Befriend the upperclassmen because they can definitely provide lots of good advice. Also, for the warm-weather people out there, be prepared for the winters.

Bang for the buck

The one thing that bothers a lot of students about Cornell is how it seems like NOTHING is for free. We have to pay for laundry, entry into the gym, etc. while other schools provide those services for free. Other than that, I believe the Cornell experience is worth the tuition. Plus, the financial aid is amazing.

Am enjoying being here

You'll find all kinds of activities here on campus. We have over 400 student organizations to be involved with. For those that enjoy partying, you will most definitely find one during the weekend. The campus is soo beautiful and the people are pretty down to earth. I found it to be a definite change from my high school days. The food is decent, but West Campus dining would have to be the best. A majority of the people are down-to-earth

Am learning a lot

There is a large variety of classes and majors to choose from. The professors are real professionals in the subjects they learn and are always available to help their students if needed.

Favian from Tobyhanna, PA

Those who study well, interested in learning, and those who do not feel the need to over-socialize.

Tips for prospective students

Learn to study early and manage your time well, you don't want to get over your head early on because things can get stressful.

Bang for the buck

My financial aid last year was exceptional. I received around $52,000 in grants, so it was definitely worth it. Make sure you apply for financial aid, you might be surprised at how much they are willing to give. Without the financial aid, I would say it would be 4.25 stars because they lack the free things available at other colleges, for example a free gym membership (that is not available at Cornell U). However, there are many connections available via career fairs that have many famous companies such as Microsoft, Google, etc. Once again, the sky is the limit.

Am enjoying being here

Things tend to be competitive and the conceptual nature of questions leaves a lot to the imagination when it comes to deciding what and how much to study. The people seem to be attempting for a new start and reaching to be cool and fail. The people don't understand comradery and loyalty amongst friends. Not the best social hub, but a great place to learn.

Am learning a lot

The method of teaching tends to be very conceptual, generally starting from the foundations. I learn new things about certain subjects that I have already taken classes on. In addition, the facilities and faculty allow for an individual to go beyond the curriculum for an individual's classes. The sky is the limit if you reach for it.

Sam from Troy, MI

06/17/2011

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Tips for prospective students

Even if you're not sure you'll go, I recommend applying to Cornell anyway, if you can afford it. The supplement to the Common App is not difficult, and it might be a good choice if you (to be blunt) don't make the other Ivies that you apply to.

Bang for the buck

It's pricier than my state's public university, but it's for an Ivy League education. Plus, financial aid helps cover a lot of the cost.

Will enjoy being here

I visited during Cornell Days, and I absolutely love the campus. In addition, there are many activities, clubs, and facilities (gyms, community center), so I'll have plenty to do if I ever get any free time.

Will learn a lot

I'm planning on attending in the fall, and I think I'll learn at lot in Cornell's challenging and recognized engineering program. I've taken a look at the required classes for engineering majors, and it seems like I'll have an interesting and stimulating first year!

Carolyn from Broadview Heights, OH

05/08/2011

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

19 out of 19 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

-People who enjoy food - I highly recommend trying their turkey burgers!!! -People who are smart and like being surrounded by other smart people. -And people who are emotionally stable - I believe it's the Ivy with the highest suicide rate, so you best be good under lots of pressure...

Tips for prospective students

It's really hard to get in. You really need to have some assets that make you stand out from everyone else. They have an 18% acceptance rate, which is relatively high for an Ivy, but you don't expect it to be that low until you've been denied. However, I know so many people who applied to all of these big name schools - lots of Ivies and such - and then they didn't get into any! I knew one girl who was really academically sound and had a great resume and both of her parents had gone to Northwestern and she ended up not getting in there! It just goes to show you that you can't expect anything. And then she made the mistake of only having back-up schools after that, so she got stuck going to OSU - not that I have anything against OSU, because it really is a great place, but compared to an Ivy or a big name school, it was a big let down. So my advice would be to make sure you apply to an intermediate school you're sure you'll get into and you'd be perfectly fine with going there. It's not insanely difficult to get into, and it's not a back-up. Like if I hadn't gotten into Cornell, I would've gone to Case Western Reserve or University of Rochester before I would've had to resort to my back-ups. And I would've been so fine with going to Case - that was actually my first choice for the longest time. But then Cornell came into play and I just couldn't pass up that opportunity. All I'm saying is be realistic and don't put yourself into a position where you could get screwed over for college.

Bang for the buck

The tuition may be high, but their financial aid is super generous! Plus, it is an Ivy League education, which will more than pay for itself tenfold after you graduate.

Will enjoy being here

It's a great campus! There's so much to see and do, and it's not ordinary at all. It's scenic, rustic, and modern all rolled into one. And the people there are so nice!

Will learn a lot

At Cornell, there is just endless learning. You can feel it just walking around campus. All the people there just seem so focused.

Zachary from Ipswich, MA

Hard working, like to have fun, involved; actually screw this, it's good for everybody

Tips for prospective students

During orientation week, say hello to as many people as possible (it's not weird then), sign up for some club at Clubfest because that is a great way to meet people, and leave your door open in your hall, because it is really awesome to make friends with the people in your dorm because you can hang out whenever you want. As far as getting in here, just do your best in school and promote yourself to the best of your abilities on your aplication.

Bang for the buck

It is true that Cornell nickel and dimes you for everything, such as printing and laundry, but paying as much as you are on school, it doesn't make that much of a difference. You're going to be spending money where ever you go, so you might as well spend it at a place that will really pay off. Plus, financial aid here is really good.

Am enjoying being here

I now know so many awesome people. You meet a lot of work hard party hard people. They get their work done, and then go crazy. Everyone is really nice, I have yet to meet someone I really disliked.

Am learning a lot

You can literally take a class on anything, and all are great classes. Because you can take a class in any of the colleges, you can completely explore your interests. Or you can focus on one thing and get a great education in it. People know that if you went to Cornell, you actually learned something.

Andrea from Chula Vista, CA

Great for students who want a large school in a rural area. School offers programs in many disciplines allowing students to explore their interests.

Bang for the buck

Cornell has so many options than students can study almost anything they want here at the university. Most students receive financial aid of some kind, making this school worth attending.

Am enjoying being here

Cornell is in a small town in upstate New York. It's really peaceful to look out and see so many trees surrounding you. There are plenty of organizations to get involved in on campus. There are a lot of groups that help out in the surrounding community of Ithaca as well as just on campus. Ithaca is full of culture and many of the campus groups help bring the culture closer to the students.

Am learning a lot

There are so many different programs here that most students can find a program they will enjoy. Many classes to choose from ranging from art to science to economics and government.

Nolan from Manchester, ME

01/07/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Cornell helps students grow into the people who will help change the world (even if the changes are small). Going along with that, Cornell is a great place to be undecided at, though all of the choices could be a little over whelming. Students who are strong in multitasking and willing to pursue difficult goals will do well here.

Tips for prospective students

Cornell is a place where students become the people who can change the world (even if it is a small change). While pursuing Cornell, be active in your school and community. Playing your cards right in an application to show off a specific experience that changed you or an hobby or rare interest that makes you 'you' will give you an advantage in the acceptance process.

Bang for the buck

The food is a little expensive, and the prices for dormitory laundry keep going up. However, if many of the free/subsidized programs and the access to library, laboratory, and human resources are well utilized by students, the benefits greatly outweigh any costs. Students here have the opportunity to explore one of the most diverse course catalogs in the world - any student, and study as the saying goes.

Am enjoying being here

My biggest weakness is getting involved in too many activities. I've definitely met my match at Cornell as there are hundreds of ways to procrastinate from homework, all of which can become lifetime skills or resume boosters. Whether a student has interest in athletics, outdoor leadership, scientific and medical R&D, farming, Buddhism, or musical theater, they can find fun.

Am learning a lot

Coming from a rural public high school, the transition to college level work required me to work harder than I ever had before. That said, nearly every professor I have heard lecture, or met with in office hours is equally if not more excited about their subjects. Their excitement helps keep me motivated; learning is much easier when its fun.

Marissa from Plainview, NY

12/19/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 10 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Students who are extraverted, leaders, and have type – A personalities. Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t ace your SAT or ACT. Cornell is looking for students who are hard workers and go above and beyond what is expected of them!

Tips for prospective students

I would highly suggest that prospective students take part in the primary – alternate application available to them. This application allows students to apply to two schools within the University. Not only does this “double application” provide students with an extra chance at acceptance into the University, but it also shows admissions that you put in the extra effort. Actions go a long way when it comes to applications, and hard working students who go above and beyond are exactly the types that Cornell is looking for!

Bang for the buck

From the majors to the classes, and from the extra-curricular activities to the research programs, the opportunities available to students are endless! There are so many activities to participate in at Cornell, along with getting one of the best educations in the country!

Am enjoying being here

I have never been so happy in my entire life! Cornell is literally my Disney Land – I think it’s the best place on earth! Everything about the school is amazing! The people at Cornell are all different, yet all have things in common. We are all there to learn and get an amazing education, but at the same time everyone takes part in activities that interest them! There is not one day that I don’t walk around with out a smile on thinking how lucky I am to have found a school that fits me so perfectly! I love Cornell University!

Am learning a lot

I feel smarter after spending just one semester at Cornell. Its not just the material that we are learning, but the way the material is presented to us. The professors treat us like the intelligent, enthusiastic young – adults that we are. They treat us with respect and encourage us to pursue our interests in topics that we wish to know more about. I am NEVER embarrassed to ask a question, and there is always the opportunity to learn more!

Samantha from Boca Raton, FL

Students who don't mind the cold, have a good tolerance for stress (easiest ivy to get into, hardest to graduate from), and want a high quality education.

Tips for prospective students

The deans of the schools you apply for read your essays so they are your audience. If you do get accepted, sign up for Cornell Outdoor Odyssey as soon as possible if you enjoy the outdoors. I made my best friends on that trip, and it made orientation week so much more enjoyable knowing I already had friends. Learn the Alma Mater and the fight song before you get here. Try to find a roommate before you get here so you don't end up with someone your uncomfortable with. However, I did random and I love my roommate, but that is not always the case.

Bang for the buck

Obviously New York Residents get the bang for the buck because they get to go to an ivy league school for less. However, I come from out of the state and I'm the happiest I have ever been. I love it here and I can see my tuition being put to good use.

Am enjoying being here

Everyone is really chill for being so smart. The gorges are absolutely gorgeous, and they make me smile every time I walk past one. Unlike city schools, Cornell had the best of both worlds. A walk around Beebe Lake adds to the natural beauty while the town of Ithaca serves its purpose.

John from MD

01/10/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

31 out of 31 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

If you are driven and have a pretty good idea of what you want to do academically in college, Cornell may be good fit. The people here work hard and play hard, so if you're comfortable with that, then you'll enjoy it. Being such a large university, Cornell has all types of people from all walks of life, so most students will find their niche as they grow accustomed to college life.

Tips for prospective students

Cornell looks for students who have made the best effort, given their circumstances, to investigate the field of study they are interested in. Show that in your essay for the Common App supplement, and you'll surely impress whomever reads your application. The rest is pretty much the same as what any highly selective college would expect: good grades, challenging high school classes, and strong commitment to an extracurricular activity.

Bang for the buck

Cornell's costs are up there with the other schools of its caliber. However, a student can expect strong academics, good support services, very good food, and an overall excellent college experience when they invest in going to college. Cornell awards financial aid to most applicants for it as well.

Am enjoying being here

Because it's such a large school, it will be easy for most people to find people they enjoy spending time with. It may take time to find, but there is something and someone for everyone at Cornell.

Am learning a lot

Classes are hard, but if you manage your time wisely, you'll be able to handle your courseload. That being said, don't expect anyone to hold your hand or bail you out of a tough academic situation. Students are expected to take it upon themselves to look for help with their work, whether it's by going to a professor's office hours or using any one of the many other resources available for students.

Samantha from Ithaca, NY

01/04/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

43 out of 43 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Honestly, Cornell is great for just about every student that is willing to work as hard as possible and be open to helping others. Although competition does play a part at Cornell, the student body is much more likely to help you figure out a question that steal your homework the night it is due.

Tips for prospective students

Be yourself from the very first day. Cornell has enough students that you will blend in whether partying every day of the week is your thing or playing board games and having laundry parties is your Friday night plan of choice. Walk in knowing that there are many students smarter than you, but you also can compete with the best. Not to mention, you want smarter kids such that you will feel empowered to work your hardest to get the success you deserve.

Bang for the buck

Although Cornell's original price tag seems excessively high, they have a very good financial aid program. Not only that, but after leaving Cornell, you will have many ins with other very smart Ivy League students who are well versed in finding jobs and making money. So, although it may cost a lot to attend, it will truly pay off after you leave the campus.

Am enjoying being here

At Cornell, there are a plethora of ingenious kids who tend to find a compromise between their social life and the rigorous academic life. Most everyone is extremely down to earth and approachable making the student body appear smaller and more close knit than it actually is. The food is pretty good, but the students are what really makes Cornell so enjoyable.

Am learning a lot

With the exorbitant amount of majors offered, it is extremely easy to find your niche at Cornell. As an engineer, I was worried about immediately being funneled into classes filled to the brim with only math and science majors and engineers. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they offer all classes to all students. Therefore, if you come into Cornell with some AP or IB credits, it opens up a world of options from culinary classes with the Hotelies to MatLab with the engineers.

Anirban from Athens, OH

08/31/2009

Reviewer is A current student here.

41 out of 42 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

People who are self-disciplined will excel at Cornell. Keeping up with classes and clubs on a regular basis minimizes the stress of crunch times throughout the semester. Cornell is also the place to be for determined opportunists ready to take advantage of the many resources made available here.

Tips for prospective students

Come in with an open mind and without fear. There are many interesting people and opportunities here, so don't let inertia get in the way of making the most of your time here.

Bang for the buck

The administration doesn't exactly fend of the sense that it extorts its students. It often delivers financial aid packages late, and fails to make provisions taken for granted at many college institutions, such as a free gym membership, free printing, or unrestricted internet use. This year 2000 students' social security numbers were stolen on an unencrypted administrative computer in the school's CIT dept. Despite these gaffes and the exorbitant prices, Cornell's prestige as a university and it's extensive alumni and research networks make up for these pitfalls by providing many unique opportunities to its students.

Am enjoying being here

Cornell is a chronically busy place with many events and opportunities simultaneously occurring . Generally this makes for an active and enjoyable lifestyle, but there are crunch times throughout each semester when you feel alone, tired, and as if the work never ends. It's important that you manage your time well and actively build up resources early each semester so you can fight through such rough spots when they occur.

Am learning a lot

Cornell features many practical professors who bring both a lifetime of experience in the field and high expectations for their students into their teaching. The quality of teaching here (excepting general writing courses) is phenomenal, and the grading generally demanding. Also, due to the size, diversity, and quality of the faculty, many contacts and resources are made available to students via the professors and their connections (such as research, mentorship, internship/job opportunities).

Anna from Paso Robles, CA

82 out of 85 people found this review useful.
1 person found this inaccurate.
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Great for these types of students

Students with a desire to learn wishing to become more culturally diverse who want to be with down to earth people

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared for the winter weather, it doesn't stop snowing until April. Make friends with an upperclassman- they give the best advice and can provide answers for the best way of doing something (workload assigned by professors, how to store things, best bus to take to the mall).

Bang for the buck

The advantage of going to a prestigious school is meeting famous people and gaining connections. Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Exon Mobile, and Lockheed Martin frequently come to the engineering buildings and recruit engineers. Some famous people who come and give lectures are Bill Nye the Science Guy and John Cleese.

Am enjoying being here

I won't lie, weather-wise winter can be very brutal if you are from California and are used to sunshine all year round, but it doesn't take long to get used to. There is no shortage of activities to get involved in; Cornell has over 300 clubs which plan events all year round.

Am learning a lot

There are so many diverse classes that are just waiting to be taken including: PLPA 2010 Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds, HADM 4430 Introduction to Wines (must be 21 or older to take), and HD 3620 Human Bonding (for those trying to figure out the opposite sex). There are a lot of opportunities to learn whatever you want, you just have to find the right people.

Definitely be ready to talk with many different offices to help you adjust to college life and to life at the school. Many, many resources are initially pushed aside or blown off (like minority affairs, learning strategies, or housing) but you have to remember that they are the best bet for success. Also, try to become buddies with your professors. You'll get better grades and more opportunities than sitting at the back of a large class.

Allie from Smithtown, NY

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

18 out of 29 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Studius, intellectually curious, dedicated.

Tips for prospective students

Cornell accepts students who are not only intellectually curious, but dedicated towards their prospective vocation. I want to be a journalist, and although I didn't have high grades, they saw that I was talented in my field.

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